A five-year wastewater rate plan approved by the Coeur d’Alene City Council in 2013 enters its second year April 1 and users can expect an 8.5 percent increase in their monthly bill. For a single family residence the bill will increase from $26.40 per month to $28.50 per month. The fee adjustments are necessary to pay for a multi-million dollar expansion to the wastewater treatment facility necessary to meet federal discharge regulations. Despite the increase, Coeur d’Alene’s wastewater fees remain below many regional cities. For single family dwellings, residents of Spokane pay $51.34 per month, City of Spokane Valley, $47.01, Post Falls charges $33.79 monthly, and Hayden residents pay $57.72 bi-monthly, which calculates to $28.86 per month/Keith Erickson, Coeur d'Alene Today.

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