Medina County households are staring down a serious case of bill shock, with the typical monthly water and sewer tab projected to jump from about $106 now to roughly $157 by 2032. A new rate study says the climb will come from larger fixed "debt fee" charges layered on top of usage rates, all to help cover a slate of costly plant upgrades and keep aging pipes and treatment systems in working order under tightening regulations.
The projections come from a financial plan prepared by consulting firm Raftelis and posted on the county website. In a memo from Raftelis, analysts model the typical sewer bill rising from about $44 a month in 2026 to around $80 by 2032, while water charges are expected to move from roughly $62.50 to $76.50 over the same period. The plan assumes operating costs will grow at about 3% a year and recommends pairing phased-in debt-fee hikes with relatively modest usage-rate increases so the system can keep cash reserves and debt-coverage ratios at industry-accepted levels.
Major Projects Pushing Rates Up
At the heart of those higher bills are some very big construction tickets. A planned $150 million multi-phase overhaul of the Liverpool wastewater treatment plant, an $85 million upgrade at Chippewa, a Westfield water-plant project and a new Brunswick Hills water tower make up the bulk of the borrowing that will filter down into customers' monthly charges. Those projects, along with the long-term rate projections, have been laid out in county documents and recent coverage. As detailed by Cleveland.com, the county is also lining up a series of smaller, cash-funded jobs that will run in parallel with the headline-grabbing builds.
Debt, Fees And Who Pays
The Raftelis plan assumes the county will lean heavily on borrowing through 2032, with about 91% of sewer capital costs and 61% of water capital costs financed with debt between 2026 and 2032. That strategy drives up the fixed monthly "debt fees" in the early years so that big principal and interest payments can be covered even if water use fluctuates.
The memo notes that in 2025 the county logged about $9.2 million in water operating costs and approximately $15 million in sewer operating costs. To keep financial metrics in line with industry benchmarks, the consultants recommend targeted hikes to debt fees in 2027, while warning that officials should review the numbers regularly to avoid future rate spikes and keep coverage ratios within recommended ranges, according to the Raftelis memo.
What Residents Should Expect And Next Steps
Under the proposed schedule, rate changes would start rolling in on Jan. 1, 2027. From there, the typical combined bill would see an average compound annual increase of about 6.7% through 2032. None of it is official yet: any final rate ordinance must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners after public hearings and additional review.
Commissioner Stephen Hambley has already acknowledged that the timing will sting for many families struggling with everyday costs. "I know it's not a good time. People are looking at cost of living and affordability, but we have to be honest," he said, as reported by Cleveland.com.
County officials say the full rate study and long-range projections are available on the county website and that they plan to fine-tune project timelines and public outreach before bringing back a recommended rate schedule. Residents worried about how much more they will be paying are being urged to watch for public-hearing announcements and to review the posted materials for details on timing, possible exemptions and any affordability programs that might soften the blow.
