Dorchester County will raise rates for its' water and sewer services and solid waste user fee as part of the budget for the fiscal year 2009 adopted by the Dorchester County Council Monday, June 2nd, 2008.

Dorchester water and sewer customers will see an increase of about $11.05 per month for a typical customer using 3,000 gallons of water. The increase will cover costs for necessary upgrades to the current system, to meet state and federal mandates, to fund the rising cost of fuel, and to relocate water and sewer lines due to SCDOT road widening projects; the increase will also fund the purchase of an Upper Dorchester County Wastewater Treatment Facility. The sewer rates increased from $34.80 to 37.90 and the water rates increased from $15.80 to 23.75. The monthly bill also includes a $0.50 DHEC fee that remained the same. The increase is effective for the July 2008 usage; therefore the customers will see this increase on their August 10th, 2008 bill.

Residents will see their annual solid waste user fee increase $10.85, from $64.15 to $75.00, to cover increased operating costs and recycling facilities. The commercial users will see an increase of $19.00 per ton on their annual solid waste user fee.

For any questions and/or concerns please contact the Dorchester County Public Works Department at (843) 832-0070 or (843) 563-0070 or to view the budget or amendments access our website at www.dorchestercounty.net. The Public Works office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.