Metropolitan Council approves 5.8% wastewater rate increase; SAC fee held flat

The Metropolitan Council on July 23 approved a 5.8% increase in Environmental Services wastewater rates and charges and kept the System Development Charge (SAC) unchanged at $2,485 per SAC unit.

Council Member Wolf, presenting the Environment Committee report, said staff held public forums in May and June with about 50 attendees from 30 communities and that feedback was “overall positive.” Wolf said SAC rates will remain at $2,485 per unit, the same amount for the twelfth consecutive year, and credited a healthy development environment and cost control for that stability.

Council discussion noted benchmarking comparisons of council rates to national averages. One member observed the council’s rates were well below reported national averages but cautioned that some utilities with high rates do not report, which biases comparisons.

Board action: Council Member Wolf moved adoption of business item 2025-157 (adoption of Metropolitan Council Environmental Services wastewater rates and charges); a second was made, and the motion passed on an aye vote with no recorded dissents.

What it covers: staff said the increase is based on cost of service and wastewater flow allocation to customers. Council members discussed climate-driven infrastructure stress and the need to communicate how heavy-short-duration rainfall and aging local infrastructure can change cost burdens and repair needs.

What to watch: rate schedules and customer notices will follow; staff will continue committee briefings on climate impacts to wastewater infrastructure.