A reminder for Cedaredge residents — sewer rates increased on Jan. 1.

Last November the Cedaredge Town Council approved an incremental approach to increasing the monthly rate of $13 to $22 over the next 18 months.

The $9 monthly increase is a rate hike of 69 percent.

The increase in the residential sewer base rate will be made in three increments of $3 per month, starting in January. The second $3 increase will take place starting in October and the third $3 increase in July 2012.

During an earlier interview, Cedaredge town administrator Kathleen Sickles said the sewer plant is operating at a loss. "Revenues are not covering operational expenses," said Sickles.

Sickles noted that there has not been an increase in sewer rates since December 2002, and that the sewer rate increase is needed to cover the operational costs of the sewer plant and to get the sewer rate fees closer to the state average in order to qualify for state grants when the opportunity is presented.

When combined with the $21 per month water rate for up to 10,000 gallons, plus a $16 per month Capital Improvement/Debt Retirement/Capital Replacement charge — by June 2012 the combined fees charged to residential in-town domestic water users will be $59 per month for both water and sewer. The water rate was increased in May 2010 by $4.50 per month.

Monthly charges for categories other than residential (e.g. — motels, car washes, laundromats, hairdressers, campgrounds and RV Parks, facilities handling food with or without grease traps, meat lockers or slaughter houses) have also been increased.