Welsh residents and businesses can expect to pay more to run their taps and flush their toilets beginning next month.

The Welsh Board of Aldermen approved rate increases for water and sewer Wednesday following a public hearing in which no one addressed the issue.

Town Clerk Eva Kibodeaux said the rate increases will become effective Aug. 1, but customers will first notice the extra charge on utility bills issued in September.

Mayor Karl Arecneaux said the increases are needed to support the maintenance and operation of the town’s water and sewer systems and to provide financial stability to the departments as recommended by the town’s auditor Burton Kolder.

This is the third increase in water and sewer rates for the town since August 2021.

There is currently a $93,087 shortage in the town’s water department, according to Arceneaux. In addition, he said if the town did not have the sewer dump fees, the sewer department would also be facing a $57,384 deficit.

The minimum monthly water charge, which covers usage of 2,000 gallons or less, will go from $10.20 to $11, while the rate will change from $2.83 per 1,000 gallons to $4 per 1,000 gallons after the initial 2,000 gallons.

Similarly, sewer rates will increase from $6.88 to $9 for the first 2,000 gallons used. The rate will increase $1.73 from $3.77 to $5.50 per 1,000 gallons used after the initial 2,000 gallons.

Commercial rates would increase slightly higher for both water and sewer.

The increase is expected to affect about 1,400 water customers and 1,200 sewer customers, according to Kibodeaux.

The council also voted to increase the water and sewer taps as of Aug. 1 to help cover the cost of installations of meters.

Customers are currently charged $250 for the service. Under the new plan, customers will pay $700 for a three-quarters inch  tap.

A one-inch water tap will increase to $900 with a four-inch sewer tap increasing to $500.

“The increase is only for those who buy a vacant lot that has never had water or sewer service and need a tap,” Kibodeaux said.