Bessemer Water rates increasing in 2023.

BESSEMER – Bessemer residents can expect to see another increase on their water bill in 2023. The increase is to help cover city expenses to replace lead service lines on residential properties, as mandated by the state to protect public health. The cost isn’t able to be included in the city’s 2021 water main project because the lines are on private property.  In order to fund the line replacements, the city has applied for a 20-year loan from the state Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to pay for the project, which will cost $705,000, according to a press release from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. As a disadvantaged community, Bessemer has qualified for $63,450 in loan forgiveness, and an additional $28,200 in loan forgiveness because the project involves lead. This still leaves a sum of $613,350 dollars that the city will owe. As a result, the city will be increasing its readiness-to-serve fee by approximately $4.23.  The project to replace the lines is set to begin next spring and will be completed in the summer of 2023.