Perrysburg Township residents can expect a jump in water bills by about $16 to $20 a year for each of the next four years, stemming from Toledo increasing its water rates to the suburbs.

Northwestern Water and Sewer District contracts with Toledo to provide water for Perrysburg Township residents. Dave Cook, the organization's assistant executive director, said there are two contracts that will determine how much more it will be per month for township residents.

The majority of township residents fall under the "50 percent mark up" and will pay $1.96 more per 1,000 cubic feet of use. He said the typical user will consume 600 to 700 cubic feet per month. That would mean a jump of about $16 a year for each of the next four years.

Parts of Perrysburg Township are under a newer contract with the Northwestern Water and Sewer District and those people will pay $2.29 for each 1,000 cubic feet of use - a 75 percent mark up from Toledo rates. That means their water bills for the year would jump $20 a year for each of the next four years.

Toledo City Council passed a 13 percent increase in rates to its suburban customers to help pay for the maintenance of its water treatment plants. The rate increase takes effect Jan. 1.

"Without the suburban communities, the residents of Toledo would be paying even higher water rates," Mr. Cook said.

City of Perrysburg homeowners will pay, on average, another $40 a year next year on water bills. 

Perrysburg increased its rate to residents this year by 7.5 percent and will increase them again, starting Jan. 1 another 7.5 percent to help offset the higher charges by Toledo. Officials plan to reevaluate the increase next year for subsequent years of getting the 13 percent Toledo rate increase.

First Published November 24, 2013, 5:00 a.m.