Liberty County’s water customers can expect their bills to go up this summer.

Commissioners approved a new rate structure to go into effect July 1, after recommendations from Bill Powell of the Georgia Rural Water Association. The increases are the first for the county’s water customers in 12 years, Chairman Donald Lovette said.

“We’ve never had an increase,” Lovette said.

The county’s water system has 277 residential customers, and 13 equivalent residential customers. The county’s debt service monthly is $42,000.

“Your customers have to pay that back,” Powell said.

Also, as an enterprise fund, the water department is supposed to be self-sufficient but has relied on transfers from the general fund.

“What we’re trying to do is make it fair for all your customers,” Powell said. “We don’t your small users to be subsidizing your large users. You don’t have that many large users on your system.”

The average residential customer uses between 3,600-4,000 gallons per month, and Liberty County’s residential customers average 3,882 gallons per month, Powell pointed out. The current base charge each month of $44 includes $12.19 per equivalent residential unit, or ERU, for debt service.

“Y’all are giving away 2,000 gallons with your base charge,” Powell said.

The county also has to put into place a rate structure that is water conservation- oriented, Powell added, citing a state law passed in 2010, the Water Stewardship Act.

“Water is the most critical utility you have,” he said. “Water is your cheapest utility and the most important utility you’ve got.”

Starting with a base charge of $33.50 for zero gallons, the rates increase for each 1,000 gallons used. For instance, a customer using 3,500 gallons a month would pay $55.50. The average increase, Powell said, is about $19. He has had some cities go up as much as 140% on their customers. Powell told commissioners he would work with the staff and run a trial billing to make sure everything is calculated correctly. He also will conduct another study after the new rates go into place to see if the revenue needed is being generated.

“It is an enterprise fund, so it should fund itself,” Lovette said. “This is the way to correct it. We’re not trying to take advantage of anyone. We’re trying to make sure the system pays for itself.”

The county’s water system is expanding to west of the railroad under a $3 million project that is expected to be finished in August. The extension will serve 95 households and it is designed to accommodate growth in the area, including a subdivision of more than 100 homes that has been discussed in that area.