Montgomery County Municipal Utility District MUD 9, which provides water and wastewater services to over half of Walden’s residents and businesses, will be increasing utility rates effective March 2023 and which will be included in April bills. The rate increase is due primarily to the new wastewater treatment plant that was recently completed and capital improvements to maintain our water and wastewater facilities which were first constructed almost fifty years ago. Operating expenses, especially chemicals costs needed to treat drinking water and wastewater effluent, have significantly increased over the past year.
This will be the first increase in rates since 2015 and the first increase in the base rates since 2009. For water rates, the monthly minimum bill, which includes the first 4,000 gallons of water, will increase from $12.00 to $15.00. Depending on water consumption beyond the minimum, rates will increase between $0.25 to $1.50 per 1,000 gallons with customers consuming higher volumes of water, paying more than those customers consuming lower volumes. The flat monthly sewer rate will increase from $26.00 to $30.00.
The district’s board of directors reluctantly approved these rates knowing that many families have been impacted by the inflation that has affected this region and the nation. However, the increased rates are needed to maintain the financial viability of the district and allow for the continued high quality of services Walden residents deserve.
Questions related to the new rates should be addressed to board@mud9.org.