Honolulu sewer fees could double in 10-years

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The cost of living on Oahu is expected to get a little higher. The city is proposing an increase in sewer rates that could double your cost over the next 10-years.

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Sewer fees in Honolulu haven’t changed since 2016. But the city wants to increase fees starting next fiscal year.

“We stalled making this decision as long as we possibly could, but this is inevitable,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

Officials say the reason for the increase – to meet federal requirements that started from 2010. They say it’s also needed to fund critical improvements to the city’s wastewater infrastructure, and protect both public health and environment.

“Our operation and maintenance costs, which is people, it’s power, it’s fuel, all kinds of other things that we consume, all have increased over that time period and now we can’t just wait any longer to increase the fees,” said Roger Babcock, Dept. of Environmental Services Director.

City officials note that operating Oahu’s 9 treatment facilities is solely funded by sewer fees.

The proposal is for the next 10-years. Fees would increase 9-percent the first 6-years, then increases would drop a percentage point over the last four years.

Another key change – the base rate fee will drop. Currently, your sewer bill is split 70-30. Which means 70-percent is a base fee, and 30 percent is based on usage. The proposal shifts the split to 50-50.

“What that means is a bigger portion of your bill is based on water use, so you can reduce your bill by saving water,” said Babcock.

To help offset the increase, the city is launching a program that would offer a $20-25 credit for households earning less than 80-percent of the area median income.

“We understand the impact on our kupuna, we understand the impact of people with fixed incomes,” said Blangiardi. “We just understand, really, to the extent we can, be sensitive, to the increased cost of living here.”

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The proposal must go to the Honolulu City Council for its approval. If all goes as planned, increases would start July 1, 2025.

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