ENFIELD — Sewer users in Enfield can expect to see lower bills in 2026.
For example, a resident on the system who is sending 9,000 gallons of wastewater per quarter into the town’s sewer system could expect to see a net savings of just under $200 per year, according to Enfield Public Works Director Jim Taylor.
The reason is twofold:
- Earlier this year, Enfield and Lebanon reached an agreement that adjusted the rate Enfield pays Lebanon to treat its wastewater to make it more equitable.
- Additionally, sewer users have finished paying off a roughly $750,000 deficit that accumulated when past rates did not rise enough to keep up with operating costs, Taylor said.
“Now we’re at a point where we can look to the future, and we’ve been good at keeping pace with our expenses,” Taylor said in a phone interview.
Now, some of the money that had gone to wiping out the deficit can go to sewer system improvements.
“I think our goal is to start building a little bit of a fund balance on the sewer side, like we have on the water side,” Taylor said.
For the 2026 fiscal year, the proposed water department budget is $281,567 and the proposed sewer budget is $948,033, Taylor said.
Those represent decreases from this year, when the water department’s budget was $378,376 and the sewer budget was $975,269.
There are nearly 500 connections to the town’s water system and 640 who connect to the sewer system, Taylor said. He estimated that there’s an overlap of 70% of households and businesses that are connected to both. Those who are on the town’s water system also use the town’s sewer system. There are also some residents who have separate water systems, but have connected to the town’s sewer system.
Water users’ rates will rise 10% to account for loan payments due to infrastructure improvements the town has been making in recent years.
Water users who use fewer than 10,000 gallons per quarter will pay $4.40 per 1,000 gallons they use, according to rates provided by the town. Those who use more than 10,000 per quarter will pay $5.03 to $5.53 per 1,000 gallons they use.
If a household uses 9,000 gallons per quarter, for example, they could expect to pay an additional $36 per year.
“It depends on use. That’s the absolute key,” he emphasized.
Sewer rates — which are also based on usage — will go up 2.5% to keep up with operating expenses, including employee wages, maintenance and supplies, Taylor said.
For most users, however, the rate increases would be offset by the new agreement with Lebanon and the end of the deficit payments.
The Selectboard, which also functions as the town’s Water & Sewer Commissioners, will host a public hearing to discuss the proposed rates at 6 p.m. Monday at Whitney Hall Auditorium, located at 23 Main St. People can also stream the meeting using Microsoft Teams via the town’s website.