Regular monthly billing and due dates are required for all customers starting in January, including new water rates and the elimination of minimum water charges. Customers who go green by opting for paperless billing will receive a $1 credit for each utility bill that is not printed and shipped. Discounts are granted on water, sewage and storm rates, as well as on garbage collection, regardless of income, for the main single-family apartment owned by its owner of Toledo owners or spouses aged 65 or over or disabled. “Now that we know that we all have our regional partners through the Regional Water Commission, we can turn our attention to the programs that will be part of our retail system and that will be available to customers in Toledo and Lucas County,” said Mayor Kapszukiewicz. “We can`t complete the process and finish our customer service programs without customer feedback.” “Toledo and its neighbors have been working for more than 30 years to solve the regional mystery of water,” said Mayor Kapszukiewicz. “This agreement will help ensure safe and reliable drinking water for our residents and neighbours for decades to come. It`s great to be able to bend this curve together and take on new challenges. Starting in January 2020, Toledo will allocate up to $250,000 per year to pay utility bills to avoid ending water service for low-income customers. The Mayor of Toledo, Wade Kapszukiewicz, today thanked the city`s partners following the approval of the Regional Historic Water Commission by each municipality concerned. Consumers will benefit from the removal of minimum water charges. The minimum water fee ends on December 31, 2019. As of January 1, 2020, customers will pay a modest fixed fee per month and for water flowing through the meter. Charging a modest fixed fee and for the water used allows customers to control their costs through conservation.

In September, the district held a public gathering outlining regional water options. The district recently attended several public council and community meetings to educate members on how water options will affect them. “As we provide water in Toledo to several communities, we wanted to make sure they understood our options and this agreement,” said Jerry Greiner, president of Northwestern Water in Sewer District. The changes include abolishing minimum water charges, setting a monthly bill, helping low-income people pay bills, pipe replacement assistance, water protection education, a conservation measurement pilot program, expanded community partnerships and other ways to help clients. The mayor announced that there will be six community forums in Toledo to discuss the programs in more detail. The meetings will take place from 17.m 00 to 18:30 .m. as follows: Currently, there are six separate government offices with approximately 6,500 customers served by The District and supplied with Toledo water. These include Northwood, Rossford, Walbridge, Lake Township, Troy Township and Perrysburg Township. In addition, the first meeting of the Regional Water Commission will take place next week. The Commission establishes statutes that determine the structure of the Commission, the frequency of meetings and other details. It will set the wholesale price and recommend it to the Toledo City Council.

The Council may either adopt the rate or enter into force within 45 days. The Mayor held a press conference at the Middlegrounds Metropark and was accompanied by the Mayors of Maumee, Perrysburg, Sylvania and Whitehouse; Lucas County Commissioners and representatives for Fulton County, Monroe County, and the Northwest Water and Sewer District. “After years of discussions and consideration of multiple options, the District Council believes this contract is the most enjoyable for our members at a fair price in the long run,” said Mark Sheffer, County Council President. “The current government of Toledo has sought to improve trust by integrating the district and suburbs affiliated with its partners into the Toledo Regional Water Commission,” Sheffer added. Voluntary monthly billing begins in November and December for customers who received their final quarterly statement in October and November. In other areas, the district board also accepted the appointment by wood county commissioners of John Cheney, a longtime board member. .