CHALMETTE, LA (AP) — The St. Bernard Parish Council has approved an ordinance amendment that nearly doubled resident's water and sewer rates, and tripled them for some commercial users.
The council said Tuesday the rate increase will help improve water quality about a year after a brain-eating amoeba was found in its water system.
The parish's water and sewerage rates had not changed since 1997. The average residence in St. Bernard will see its water rate jump from about $13 a month to $24 a month.
The average sewer rate will increase from about $15 a month to $36 a month.
NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune’s Benjamin Alexander-Bloch reports the parish will use the rate increases to pay acquire and pay interest on two state loans needed for capital improvements.
