Effective with the April 1, 2006 reading and billing, water rates for Pere Marquette Township water customers went up slightly.  You're probably wondering how much "slightly" is!  Well, the old rate was $1.90/per 100 cubic feet -- or, $.00254 per gallon.

The new rate is $2.15/per 100 cubic feet -- $.00287 per gallon, an increase of $.00033 per gallon.

Even at the new rate, you can buy four gallons of water in Pere Marquette for about a penny.  Compare that to fancy bottled waters at $1.49 for 20 ounces ($9.54 per gallon), or even Spring water or Distilled water at $.79 per gallon.  That same $.79 would get you 275 gallons of Pere Marquette water instead of only one from the grocery store.

So, relax!  The increase will help the PM Water Department to operate efficiently, and most customers will pay less than a dollar per month more than the old rate.  Any questions or concerns, please feel welcome to contact Sara Shelly, the Water/Sewer Administrator at 231/845-1277.