One bill, two programs, less than three dollars: Rate changes proposed for 2027–2031

Over each of the next five years, a typical customer’s monthly bill would go up by about $2.

January 1, 2027 will mark the first year of our newest five-year rate schedule, and with it comes proposed increases to both sewer and stormwater rates — notably the lowest combined rate increase in nearly 20 years.

When looking at an average customer’s monthly bill for the years 2027–2031, the combined charges for wastewater treatment and stormwater management would go up about $2 a month each year, based on the proposed schedule.

Proposed increases in sewer and stormwater rates

Every five years, we conduct a rate study of the cost of sewer and stormwater service based operating and capital expenses, debt service (payments on bonds and loans used to fund major sewer infrastructure), and regional trends (like population and water use).

After reviewing numerous scenarios, our Board of Trustees has agreed to the following proposed rate schedule:

• Sewer rate increase of 2% annually
• Stormwater rate increase of 4% in 2027 and 2028, reducing that percentage to 3.5% in 2029, 2030 and 2031.

The proposed rates for each year are below.

One bill, two programs

Most customers’ NEORSD bills fund two programs, each with its own rate structure: wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.

Your sewer charge is based on water use, measured in MCF (1,000 cubic feet of water, of 7,480 gallons). It funds the operation of three treatment plants, 340 miles of sewers, and all the work that keeps treated water flowing 24/7.

About half pays for daily operations. The other half repays bonds and long-term low-interest loans for major construction projects — keeping rates lower long-term.

Constuction of the Westerly Chemically Enhanced High Rate Treatment project.

Your stormwater fee funds projects that reduce flooding, streambank erosion, and water quality issues across hundreds of miles of streams, pipes and culverts that carry stormwater in our region — big streams like the Cuyahoga, Rocky, and Chagrin Rivers, Doan Brook, and others.

It’s based on the square footage of impervious surfaces on your property — like roofs and driveways — because these surfaces create runoff, and runoff is what causes streambank erosion, flooding, and water quality problems across our watersheds.

Seventy-five percent of that fee fixes regional problems, and 25% is made available to your community for local stormwater projects — called Community Cost Share.

Doan Brook Streambank Stabilization Project.

What it means to you

Based on a typical customer using half an MCF a month with a Tier 2 stormwater charge, an average bill will increase less than $2 a month over the five-year schedule:

These rate-setting cycles occur every five years, but every year and every day, we manage your rates with the same approach: Sound management, smart savings, and project planning.

Customers learned more about these efforts during the week of May 18 across four open house events and two webinars.

Employees engaged with customers across multiple events in the month of May.

The Sewer District’s Board of Trustees are expected to vote on the proposed rate increases at the July 16, 2026 Board Meeting.

Customers looking for ways to save on their bills can call 216.881.8247 or visit neorsd.org/save for information about and applications for the Sewer District’s cost-saving programs.

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Posted May 15, 2026 | Updated May 28, 2026