County officials approve water rate increase

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners have approved a 3.9 percent annual water rate increase for Aqua Ohio Inc. customers in Poland, Springfield, Beaver and Boardman townships under a three-year contract.

Al Sauline, Aqua Ohio vice president, said the first increase would take effect in early February.

Struthers city council and the Poland and Lowellville village councils had already approved the same increases before the commissioners approved them Thursday for the townships.

The average Mahoning County household’s Aqua Ohio water bill is about $32 a month. The increases would amount to $9 a year for the average single-person household, $12 for the average couple and $18 for the average family, Sauline said.

The rate increases are due to the company’s costs for installation of new waterlines and meters, Sauline added.