Water and sewer customers in Bonney Lake will begin to see a slight increase in their bills this week as adjustments consistent with the consumer price index begin to take effect on Jan. 1.

The increases are automatic and tied to the index through the Bonney Lake Municipal Code.

The CPI is set to increase 3.813 percent in the new year.

In addition, increase to system development charges will also take effect, though those increases will primarily affect developers and home builders.

Effective Jan. 1, most residential water users will see an $0.61 increase in their monthly charge and an additional 5 cents per cubic foot (up to 100 cubic feet) consumption charge.

The increases bring the totals to $16.69 monthly charge and a consumption charge of $1.16 per hundred cubic feet (CCF) for the first 10 CCF. Rates increase to $2.29 per CCF for use of more than 10 CCF per month in the winter months and to $3.92 per CCF over 10 in the summer.

For customers outside the city limits, the base rate goes from $20.81 in 2011 to $21.60 in 2012. Consumption charges are set to increase from $1.61 to $1.67 on the first 10 CCF. The winter rate for use over 10 CCF will go from $3.20 to $3.33 per CCF and from $5.48 to $5.69 in the summer.

Sewer rates are also set to increase along with the CPI.

The monthly single family rate is set to increase to $36.51 in 2012, up from $35.17 in 2011. Residents who have a city-owned grinder pump on their systems – approximately 90 homes in the city – will also see an additional increase of $18 per month, bringing their total to $43.80. The additional money is designed to partially cover the cost to the city of grinder pump maintenance.

Sewer volumetric rates will also increase from $2.19 per 100 cubic feet in 2001 to $2.27 in 2012. Sewer charges are capped at 10 CCF per month.

Storm water rates will remain the same at $14.

Reduced rates are available for senior citizens and the disabled.

For a complete look at the rate increase or to see you qualify for for a discount, visit http://www.ci.bonney-lake.wa.us/section_government/departments/executive/finance_utility_billing.shtml#rates.

This article has been corrected. In the original article, the increase for water consumption rates on usage more rga 10 CCF per month for customers outside the city limits was wrong. We apologize for the error.