Water, sewer rates to rise by historic amount in Great Lakes Authority’s new plan

The Great Lakes Water Authority just approved its biggest-ever rate increase for water and sewer services.

The increase announced on Wednesday (Feb. 26) will be 5.9% for water and 4.5% for sewer.

That’s less than the original proposal of 7.73% for water and 5.39% for sewer service.

But it’s far more than last year’s increases, which were below 4%, because of a 2014 rule capping increases at four percent.

That rule expired this year.

The rate hikes approved Wednesday will take effect in the 2026 fiscal year, which begins this coming July 1.

--> GLWA faces backlash over proposed water rate hikes for fiscal year 2026