If you are a Summerville City water customer, you will be paying more for your water starting next month.

The City of Summerville has announced a rate hike that goes into affect on July 1, 2021.  The added rate increase for water customers will also mean about a 15% rate increase for city water customers who also have sewer service.

The rate increase comes on the heels of the city’s water issue after the EPA notified city officials in January 2020 that water from Racoon Creek showed high levels of two human-made chemicals — perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid — which are used to make carpet, clothing fabric, cookware, paper, food packaging and other materials.  The city has taken costly steps to get the water system back within EPA guidelines.

The city’s proposed 2021-2022 budget shows around $6.4 million in expenditures for the water system.