Oakesdale bumps water rates to pay for well work

Oakesdale town council has approved an increase in basic water rates which will start at the first of the year.

The basic rate will go from $22 to $27 per month for up to 4,125 gallons. Longtime city policy has set water bills at that usage, with a $1 per thousand gallon charge for anything additional.

The city council also voted to increase the basic rate by two percent each year over the next five years.

The increase is the first since 2003.

The change comes after large maintenance projects on Oakesdale’s two current wells.

“Funds for water need to sustain themselves, and they’re not able to...