Ruston, La. (KNOE) – A city council ordinance was introduced on Monday, Nov. 4 to raise water rates in Ruston by 26.5 percent.

According to Mayor Ronny Walker, the city received a $4 million federal water grant. The grant mandated that a water rate study be conducted to determine what the rates would need to be to support the system.

Now the city must meet those rates or repay the grant.

“We haven’t raised our rates since 2009, so this is going to be a pretty good 26.5% increase. We hate to do it, but it’s part of keeping our system healthy and repairing the lines,” Mayor Walker said.

There will also be an impact fee. That means if someone builds a house or building and a new water meter is installed, there will be a one-time fee of $750 for each meter you put in.

Mayor Walker says with so much growth in Ruston, the rate increase is a necessary step to sustain the system.

“You have to have great infrastructure. This is water, sewer (and) electricity. We have been working on all of these for the past 10 years and will continue to work on them. We have it in the budget every year, more and more projects. But this was one that we wanted to take advantage of for free money, and it was free for the city.”

A vote on the increase will take place in December. The rates are expected to be implemented in January 2025.

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