District would
remain one of
state’s cheapest

By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier News Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – In an effort to keep up with escalating operating expenses, North Marshall Water District customers could see an increase in their bills after September.

“We’re just trying to keep up with occurring expenses,” said district manager Brad Anderson. “Our electric bill alone runs upward of $18,000 per month to operate our water plants. We’re just trying to keep up with the times.”

The increase is only the fourth since the district was created in 1964 and will be subject to the approval of the Public Service Commission.

The proposed 20 percent increase to water usage would amount to a few extra dollars per bi-monthly bill. The proposal would raise the current rate of $2.20 per 1,000 gallons to $2.64 per 1,000 gallons.

Anderson said the average bi-monthly bill of $28 would go up about $3 to $5.

“Even at $2.62, we are one of the top five water districts in the state as far as being the cheapest,” Anderson said. In Marshall County, North Marshall would still be the most wallet-friendly with Benton charging $3 per thousand gallons and Jonathan Creek $5.75 per thousand gallons. Attempts to reach Calvert City Municipal Water and Sewer System and Hardin Water Department were not successful.

The district has considered implementing smaller annual adjustments of one or two percent to offset rising operating expenses and prevent larger intermittent increases.

North Marshall Water District serves approximately 5,400 customers.