Posted on: Thursday, March 21, 2002

Plan for sewer fee changes proceeding

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

The City Council is moving ahead with a proposal that would increase monthly sewer fees for 98 percent of the apartment and condominium owners on the island while cutting the fees for single-family homes.

Under the proposal, monthly sewer service charges for a family living in an O'ahu apartment and using 9,000 gallons of water each month would rise 19 percent to $28.19 while a family living in a single-family home and using the same amount of water would see their bill drop 7 percent to $28.19. (Water fees would be added to those bills as they are now.)

City Environmental Services Director Tim Steinberger said his department does not object to the bill. Steinberger said apartments typically use closer to 6,000 gallons each month while single-family homes generally average around 13,000 gallons each month, so the difference in the sewer bills would not likely be as sharp.

The Council Budget Committee yesterday recommended that a public hearing be held on April 24 when the bill would be scheduled for approval in the second of three required readings. Council Chairman John DeSoto introduced the measure as part of his continuing effort to try to make sewer bills fairer for people living in drier parts of the island.

DeSoto represents the Leeward Coast, where many residents complain that they are charged sewer fees on water that they use to keep their yards green during dry weather. His proposal makes the rates the same for both apartment and single-family homes. "Why should one be penalized for watering the lawn if you live in a dry area?" he asked.

But Councilman Duke Bainum, who represents Waikiki-Kapahulu-Wai'alae, questioned the wisdom of increasing the rates for 98 percent of condominium and apartment owners. "Where is the fairness in that dramatic change?