Fairhope residents will notice an increase in their water and sewer rates effective April 1.

The Fairhope City Council approved the increase in water and sewer rates during the Monday, Feb. 26 city council meeting.

The rates Fairhope residents have been paying were set in 2022. Water rates for inside the city limit were set at $12.03 per month, plus $2.39 for every 1,000 gallons up to 6,999 gallons used. Customers outside of the city limits were set at $15.48 per month, plus an additional $3.57 per 1,000 gallons used. Sewer rates for inside the city limits were set at $20 per month, plus $5 for every 1,000 gallons. Outside of the city limits were set at $22.50 per month, plus an additional $6 per 1,000 gallons.

The ordinance the Fairhope City Council unanimously approved Feb. 26 raises the prices of water inside the city limits to $14 per month, plus $2.60 for every 1,000 gallons used up to 6,999 gallons and $3.60 for usage over 7,000 gallons. Outside of the city limits, customers' rates will increase to $17.50 per month, plus $3.80 for every 1,000 gallons and $4.85 for usage of 7,000 gallons or more. Sewer rates for inside the city limits will rise $22 per month, plus $5.30 for every 1,000 gallons. Outside of the city limits rates will increase to $24.50 per month, plus an additional $6.40 per 1,000 gallons.

The increase in rates was discussed during several work sessions and regular session council meetings. During the Feb. 19 work session, councilperson Jack Burrell explained the reasoning behind the increase.

"There is a misconception that because we have explosive growth in this city, we need to raise rates. That's not why we're raising rates," Burrell said. "We're raising rates because we haven't raised rates in several years."

Burrell went on to explain the increase is needed to keep up with expenses such as employee wages, material costs and continued maintenance.

"I don't think that anybody up here ever wants to increase rates for everything," Burrell said. "It's not in a politician's nature to want to raise expenses because you know you're going to get criticized for that.

"It's not a money grab; it is just to keep up with inflation," Burrell said.