Joplin City Council approves sewer rate hike

If you live in Joplin, your sewer rate is going up.

The City Council approved a plan Monday night that will raise bills by 25 percent over the next five years.

That’s on top of a 12 percent spike this year alone.

“We’re looking at a lot of improvements of facilities both at the plant and the collection system,” said Joplin Public Works Director, David Hertzberg.

“We trying to be a good steward of environmental issues,” he added.

City officials say the increases are necessary to help Joplin comply with state and federal regulations.

Hertzberg says the increase, once fully in place, will put Joplin’s rates in line with those in most cities of its size in Missouri.