BLAND — The city of Bland has released a rate comparison outlining proposed increases to both water and sewer charges. The plan would raise base rates and per-thousand-gallon usage charges, resulting in higher monthly bills across all levels of usage for residents.

For sewer service, the current base rate is $13.62 and would rise to $16.72, while the usage charge per 1,000 gallons would increase from $3.98 to $5.32 under the proposed schedule. At the 1,000-gallon level, the total bill would change from $17.60 under the current structure to $22.04 under the proposal, an increase of $4.44 overall. A household using 2,000 gallons would see its bill move from $21.58 to $27.36, while 3,000 gallons would climb from $25.56 to $32.68 in total. At 4,000 gallons the cost would increase from $29.54 to $38.00, while 5,000 gallons would grow from $33.52 to $43.32 in charges.

For water service, the current base rate is $17.35 and would rise to $20.44, while the usage charge per 1,000 gallons would increase from $3.90 to $5.88 under the proposed schedule. A customer using 1,000 gallons now pays $21.25 and would pay $26.32 under the proposal, a difference of $5.07 in all. At 2,000 gallons the bill would increase from $25.15 to $32.20, while at 3,000 gallons the cost would rise from $29.05 to $38.08 in total. A household using 4,000 gallons would see charges change from $32.95 to $43.96, while at 5,000 gallons the increase would move the bill from $36.85 to $49.84 overall.

When combining water and sewer, the impact is considerately noticeable at higher usage levels. A household using 5,000 gallons now pays $70.37, while the proposed rates would raise that total to $93.16 in combined charges.

The proposed rates are expected to be reviewed further and a public hearing will be set before any final adoption by the city is made.