The Cost

Repairing the city's infrastructure does not come cheap. But all of the ratepayers in the Omaha metro and suburban communities will participate in the payment of the work over the next 15-20 years and beyond. This includes both residential and commercial customers.  The total cost estimate following the initial proposed plan is $1.5 billion. The city anticipates that residential customers could be looking at sewer rates of $50 per month by the year 2017. City officials are proactively pursuing ways to provide an assistance option for fixed and low income residents when it is needed.

Rate Payer Assistance

Volunteer community panel members, City officials and utility experts understand that an increase in sewer fees could be a real hardship on some families. That is why the Community Basin Panel has taken a lead to identify and develop a program to help some of our low-income residents or those living on a fixed income. The Panel has formed a sub-committee to identify the key issues and work with the utilities to coordinate to determine the best possible proposal. The city expects to share the details of this program with ratepayers by the Spring, 2009.