Portage County keeps Manaway water and sewer surcharges unchanged after annual review

Portage County Water Resources presented its annual water and sewer surcharge evaluation for the village of Manaway on Aug. 7, and the Portage County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to not raise the monthly water and sewer surcharges at this time.

The presenter said the county took over the village’s water and wastewater systems in January 2021 and has since made “significant investments” to bring the systems to acceptable standards. The county applied a formula in the surcharge ordinance that allows either a 3% per-year increase or adjustment by the consumer price index; for this review Water Resources recommended applying the 3% step and not adding further increases.

Commissioners and staff discussed the village system’s aging infrastructure, including vitrified clay sewer pipes. The presenter said the county recently received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award of $725,000 to help realign and replace sections of clay sewer main; with a county match that will support a project with an estimated total investment of about $1,450,000 for sewer rehabilitation in the village.

Water Resources staff described ongoing capital work, including plans to replace distribution piping, valves and hydrants so the village’s distribution system will be “brand new” when work is complete. Commissioners noted complaints about water quality have dropped since improvements began and said maintaining affordability for the village’s low-income population was a guiding concern when the county assumed operation.

The board’s formal motion recorded a unanimous roll call: Sabrina — yes; Jill — yes; Mike — yes. The motion concurred with the Water Resources recommendation and authorized county staff to present the report and recommendation to the village council.