Cost Of Living In Ottawa Goes Up

Sewer and water bills are going up in Ottawa.

The city council unanimously voted to raise the average monthly bill nearly 16 dollars a month starting in September.  Public Property Commissioner Dan Aussem says they need 15 million dollars to address combined sewer overflows or else face fines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  The sewer and water bill increase will generate about a million dollars a year for 15 years.

Mayor Bob Eschbach says he’s not excited about the significant rate increase but they’re still on the lower end for water and sewer bills.  According to his numbers, Streator, Marseilles, La Salle and Princeton all still charge more for sewer and water.

The council raised sewer bills last year by over two dollars a month.