It happens every year, and this year is no exception. Rochester residents will see their water and sewer rates rise, effective immediately.
But resident Steve Szoke asked city council Monday why the city has to pay a 20-percent markup to Shelby Township, which provides Detroit water to the eastern part of Rochester. He said the east side’s rate is almost three times that of the west side, which gets water from the city’s own system.
City Manager Jaymes Vettraino said the city is working on bringing the surcharge down. But he said buying water directly from the city of Detroit would cost more than Shelby’s surcharge.
Szoke said the answer made sense and that he is very happy with city services. “We have great water,” he said. “We don’t mind spending the money if we get our money’s worth.”
