Newton Falls residents can expect their water bills to cost a little bit more beginning in 2025 and continuing into 2026.

Newton Falls Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis tells 21 News a rate study was conducted in 2021 and gradual water rate increases were supposed to begin in 2022.

However, Axiotis says this did not happen, so the village's water department has been operating at a loss since then. 

Additionally, there is a water debt that customers have been paying that is about to expire. Axiotis says this will essentially offset the higher rate, meaning must customers shouldn't see too much of a difference.

Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener tells 21 News rates will increase by $1.10 beginning in 2025 going from $5.50 to $6.60. In 2026, rates will increase by another 40 cents to $7.

Rufener says this increase is needed because it costs $2.2 million annually to produce water at the facility, but the village is only bringing in $1.8 million in revenue due to the rate increases not being implemented in 2022.

Rufener tells us the increased rates will generate additional funding for needed repairs to the 20-year-old facility, which is currently paid from the general fund.