Sewer Rate Increase In Pueblo?

An increase in sewer rates could be on the way. Pueblo city leaders said they?re trying to keep the costs down for residents.

Pueblo?s wastewater director Gene Michael said it?s to benefit the people of Pueblo.

?I think we have a lot of folks who have stated they want cleaner water and a better environment without realizing that none of that can be done with no cost to them,? said Michael.

Michael went to city council to ask for a rate increase.

?We do need to maintain our infrastructure,? said Michael.

He suggested a 5.2 percent sewer rate increase. The city council said that was too much and suggested a 2.5 increase that would bring residents’ bill up a little less than a dollar a month.

?To the people who can afford it, a dollar isn’t very much,? said City Council President Ray Aguilera.

He also said that for others, it is a lot.

?The people who can afford to pay, they are paying for something they probably won’t get any benefit from because they live in newer homes and their sewers are brand new. Most of the money that we collect will be spent in the poor, older neighborhoods,? said Aguilera.

The city council hasn?t approved anything.

?I hope they will go for it,? said Michael.

?We really need to find a way to improve our sewers, and we have to find a way to pay for them,? said Aguilera.

The city council will discuss the issue again next month.