Coweta County water customers will notice a slight increase in their water bills, after actions taken by the Coweta County Board of Commissioners Tuesday morning.

The board unanimously voted to increase residential water rates by slightly over 1 cent per 1,000 gallons of use for residential customers.

Water and sewer director Harry Hughes examined his own personal water bill and told the commissioners that his bill would probably increase by about $5 a month.

The increase is due to a 5 percent increase the county will have to pay its water supplier, Newnan Utilities, starting Jan. 1.

The board also approved passing the 5 percent increase to the cities of Senoia and Grantville, starting the first of the year.

Finally, the board agreed to up the cost of residential tap-ons to $750 a meter, up from the current $550.

Commission Chairman Lawrence Nelms explained the water service was funded by an enterprise fund, and the rate increase was necessary to keep the county from asking the taxpayers to fund the water system.

Hughes added that although the county has had two dry years and revenues have exceeded expectations, he is almost certain the county will have to go to mandatory water restrictions next year. Water restrictions mean less water being used and less revenues, he added.

With Tuesday's increase approved, Hughes does not believe another increase will be necessary until at least 2002.

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