With the new year comes a significant shift for the residents and businesses of Owatonna—a rise in sanitary sewer rates. Commencing on January 1, this increase, approved by the City Council on December 5, is a critical measure to ensure the continued operation and future upgrades to the city's wastewater treatment facilities. The specifics of the rate changes are outlined in Ordinance 23-20, details of which can be found on the city's official website, Owatonna.gov.

The new rate structure will mandate residential bills to rise to $17.50 monthly, whereas commercial enterprises will see their rates go up to $23.10 per month. Moreover, Significant Industrial Users (SIU) will experience escalated costs, with Light and Heavy SIUs now facing monthly bills of $76.13 and $788.49, respectively.

This decision, crucial for the city’s stride toward sustainable wastewater management, has been met with diverse reactions—a blend of understanding for the long-term benefits and concern over the immediate financial impacts. As a result, city residents are encouraged to examine the full ordinance for a comprehensive understanding of how these changes may affect them.