Customers of Soos Creek Water and Sewer will see an uptick in their bills in 2009 due to rate increases by the water district as well as rate increases by the King County wastewater treatment division

Ron Speer, district manager, said the utility is increasing water rates about 1.4 percent for the average customer that uses 800 cubic feet.”

Speer explained Soos Creek has a four-tier system, and one of those tiers is going up from the current $1.39 per 100 cubic feet up $1.45 per 100.

“That matches what we pay the city of Seattle,” Speer said. “Other than that, our water rates are staying the same.”

In addition, there will be one other increase on customer’s bills, with surrates increased from $14.80 per household to $15.55.

“Our surrates haven’t increased since 2001,” Speer said. “We’ve held the line on cost as long as we could.”

Soos Creek serves almost 100,000 people in a district that covers 35 square miles in southeast King County, including residents of Covington and Maple Valley. Water is bought from Seattle Public Utilities, while wastewater is conveyed through its sewer system to the county’s treatment plant in Renton.

Speer said that because the county is raising some of its rates for sewage treatment, customers will see that on their bills next year, as well.

“We do a pass-through charge for King County, and their surrate for wastewater treatment is $27.95,” he said. “It’s going to $31.90, for an increase of $3.95.”

The County Council approved the county rate increase in June and set the rate for two years effective January. According to county officials, the increase will cover the costs of sewer improvement projects for keeping up with demand and regional water quality.

Current expansion of the sewer system is the primary factor driving the increase, with projects in progress such as the Brightwater Treatment System expected to make up about 75 percent of the county wastewater treatment system’s capital spending during the next three years.

The county’s system serves 17 cities, 17 sewer districts that include Soos Creek, and more than 1 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties.

Staff writer Kris Hill can be reached at (425) 432-1209 (extension 5054) and khill@reporternewspapers.com