CASTOR – Residents of the Village of Castor will have seen an increase in their water and sewer bills this month, as the village increased the base rates of each.

Mayor Vicki Pickett said with the costs of everything increasing, the rate increase had to be done.

“Our rates have not gone up since 2009, and costs have gone up on everything,” she said. “Chemicals, maintenance, and utilities, to name a few. These increases will help us maintain safe drinking water and provide a reliable sewer system to the residents of Castor.”

According to ordinances adopted in April, the residential base rate for the first 2,000 gallons of water usage will increase each year until 2030. This year, the base rate increased to $17; in 2026, it will increase to $22. In 2027, the rate will increase to $30; in 2028 it will go up to $33 and in 2030, it will increase to $35.

Water meter deposits on all meters will be $100.

The commercial/business rate for the first 10,000 gallons will be $55 this year, $60 in 2026, $80 in 2027, $85 in 2028, and no change for 2029 or 2030.

The water base rate for government/state will be $55 this year, $60 in 2026, $80 in 2027, $85 in 2028 and no change in 2029 or 2030.

The water base rate for the school for the first 10,000 gallons will be $55 this year, $60 in 2026, $80 in 2027, $85 in 2028 with no change in 2029 or 2030.

The sewer rate will also increase. For residential customers, for the first 2,000 gallons of metered water usage per month will be $12 this year, no change in 2026 or 2027, and increase to $12.50 in 2028, 2029 and 2030.

Commercial/business sewer base rate will increase to $50 this year, with the same in 2026 through 2030.

For government/state, the sewer base rate will be $150 through 2030. For the school, the sewer base rate will be $150 through 2030 as well.