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Athens City Council considers increasing sewer rates and approves construction of citywide sidewalk ramps

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Athens residents and businesses could see an increase in their sewer rates starting next year.

Athens City Hall is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Athens City Hall is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
The Athens City Council is considering an ordinance that would raise the rates by 3% beginning in January 2025. 

With this change, the residential base rate will increase from $6 to $6.18, the commercial rate will increase from $6.79 to $6.99, and the industrial rate will increase from $7.49 to $7.71. The monthly base rate charge is per 1,000 gallons.  

Councilmember Alan Swank presented a chart comparing the sewage and water rates with other counties in Ohio.  

“The average citizen using 4,000 gallons of water, which is pretty much average in the state of Ohio, was $43.83 in 2024. Looking at my own sewer and water bill, for several months, we had 4,000 [gallons], and it was $49.34. So, you can see, Athens’ sewer rates were about 13% higher than the average.” 

However, when comparing the water rates, Swank found that Athens was lower than the average in Ohio. 

“When you take the two and add them together, the average rate for someone using 4,000 gallons of water in the city of Athens is $81.36; a full $5.00 per month less than the average in the state of Ohio.” 

Swank called on Mayor Steve Patterson for a way to mitigate these cost increases. According to Patterson, the rate increases will help improve Athens by being put toward projects such as the aging infrastructure on West Union Street. 

Later in the meeting, Councilmember Solveig Spjeldnes introduced an ordinance to create ramps at sidewalk corners to make Athens more accessible for citizens with mobility issues. 

“Everyone across the city will benefit from this change and I think it’s a great thing to do,” she said. 

The multimillion-dollar project will improve existing curb cuts or build new ones at corners citywide. Patterson said the project is funded partly by a state grant. 

The ordinance approved on Monday allows the city to start advertising bids on the project. There is no timeline listed for completion.