Another water district in Logan County has decided to raise its rates to offset the price increase that will be coming from the Logan Todd Regional Water Commission (LTRWC) in March.

East Logan Water District’s board voted Tuesday to pass along the 44 cents per 1,000 gallon increase on to its customers.

“We don’t see where we have any choice but to do this,” East Logan Water Chairman Bill Stokes said.

LTRWC voted at its November meeting to increase the price of its water beginning in March. LTRWC, which gets its water from the Cumberland River and processes it at a state-of-the-art facility in Guthrie, acts as a wholesaler while the individual water districts and municipalities act as retailers.

When LTRWC raises the price for water, the districts and cities must choose whether or not to pass the expense on to customers.

East Logan’s minimum monthly bill is currently $22.67 for the first 2,000 gallons used. Beginning in March, that will go up to $23.80.

Stokes said the average East Logan customer will pay about $2.60 more per month because of the LTRWC rate increase.

Stokes added that East Logan’s rate increase must be approved by the Public Service Commission before it officially goes into effect.

Logan Todd Regional Water Commission (PSC) does not have to answer to the PSC when it institutes a rate increase.

One other Logan County water district was scheduled to vote on possibly increasing its rates this week.

South Logan Water District had a meeting scheduled on Wednesday to decide its course of action, but the vote was not taken before press time.

Some of Logan County’s cities have already begun to make their decisions. Adairville voted earlier this month to pass on the cost to its water customers.

Before the LTRWC increase, South Logan had the lowest minimum monthly charge in the county at $20.86.

Mayor Jim Wilkerson said the city would not be able to pay for the increased cost of water alone and the city council voted unanimously to increase its water 44 cents per $1,000 gallons.

Currently, the minimum water bill in Adairville is $25 with a 2,000 gallon minimum. Beginning in March, it will go up to $25.88.

Auburn also voted on the issue, but chose not to increase its water rates any more. The city of Auburn, however, has an annual rate increase built in to its water ordinance.

Lewisburg took no action on LTRWC rate increase at its monthly meeting.

Russellville has not yet taken any sort of a vote on the issue either, although it was discussed at last week’s council meeting.