A 15% increase in city water rates could bring $350,000 in additional revenue

LACONIA — Councilors will discuss a proposal to raise water rates at their meeting on Monday night. 

At their meeting on July 21, the Board of Water Commissioners voted to proceed with increasing city water rates, changing the base rate to $28.75 per quarter up from $25.00, a 15% increase. The rate change for consumption is proposed to increase from $2.55 per hundred cubic feet to $2.81, a 10% increase. 

The increase would allow the water department to remain in a good financial position, while continuing its ability to meet current and future operational and capital needs, according to a city staff report. 

The change would go into effect for any bills generated on or after Jan. 1, 2026, and would reflect any water used on or after Nov. 1, 2025.

The increase for a family of four with average water usage is $1.08 per day. 

The water commission will hold a public hearing on the matter at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at City Hall. City Manager Kirk Beattie was asked to include an item on Monday’s agenda in order for councilors to review and discuss the proposed change in rates. 

The estimated fiscal impact of the proposed rate change is $350,000 in revenue to the water department, according to the staff report. 

Last week, Ward 2 Councilor Robert Soucy, who’s also on the water commission, voted against the proposed raise and later told The Laconia Daily Sun he considered a rate raise to be unnecessary. 

Ward 1 Councilor Bruce Cheney said he intended to bring a discussion to the council to consider ordinances related to the water department.

In other business, councilors will discuss city ordinances pertaining to the commercial use of the public docks. 

Councilors received requests from multiple businesses on Lake Winnipesaukee to consider amending part of the city code to allow for short-term docking by commercial vessels to transport passengers in and out of Weirs Beach using the Weirs docks. 

Councilors will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, at City Hall downtown.