Prichard water rates to increase in February

PRICHARD, Ala. (WALA) - If you live in Prichard, get ready for your water and sewage bill to go up. The Prichard Water Works and Sewage Board has just announced a 9 percent increase effective next month.

“Whatever the outcome of it, I’ll just have to pay the bill,” said one resident as she finished paying her bill.

That’s the sentiment of Prichard Water customers after hearing that their rates will increase starting February 10. The bills will have to be paid, but folks aren’t happy about it.

A spokesperson for the Board said that the increase is the first in three years and is needed to make capital improvements to the system and to maintain the necessary funding reserves required by law.  

Some residents are skeptical the changes will happen.

“On paper…pen…yes, but physically…no, I don’t think. I don’t think so,” said Prichard Water customer, Markes Mosley.

The Prichard water and Sewer Board said they’ve absorbed a 36 percent increase in cost from the Mobile Water and Sewer System over the last three years.  

The Board had a rate analysis done by the Municipal Services Group and determined that the increase was absolutely necessary.

People in the Prichad community said that a nine percent increase is just way too much, and for the elderly or for those on a fixed income, it’s just going to make life that much more difficult.

“You’re not able to afford a high water bill, and a lot of us aint getting no…no…no help,” said Glenwood Smith, a senior himself.  “You know what I’m saying?”

“I think it’s costing us too much for the poor people that aint getting nothing but a monthly check,” Smith’s neighbor, Robert Jones said.  “Really, all the old seniors feels me man. That’s too much money.”

Prichard Water serves approximately 11,000 customers.

According to the Board, the average monthly residential bill will increase by $3.44 for water and sewer combined with a 2,000 gallon minimum usage.