Hendersonville Utility District customers are paying higher water and sewer rates under a new fee schedule that took effect July 1.

The district's three-member Board of Commissioners approved the revised rates, according to a rate schedule HUD posted to its website Wednesday, Oct. 7. The schedule was certified by General Manager Joe Rewa and signed by President W.C. Boyers, Secretary Jamie McMurry and Treasurer Ronald Flowers.

The water minimum bill is now $11.50 per month, covering the first 2,000 gallons. Every 1,000 gallons above that costs $4.90. Tennessee state sales tax applies to all water charges.

Sewer rates are steeper. Customers who get both water and sewer from HUD pay a $14.00 monthly sewer minimum for the first 2,000 gallons, then $6.15 per 1,000 gallons beyond that. All sewer customers also pay a Metro Water Services treatment fee of $3.20 per 1,000 gallons of metered water. That fee can change annually.

Customers who get water from another utility but use HUD sewer service pay more: a $16.75 monthly sewer minimum and $7.45 per 1,000 gallons above 2,000.

Dedicated fire and irrigation meters are not subject to sewer charges.

Connection fees for new construction

Homeowners connecting to the system for the first time face tap and capacity fees. A standard residential water tap with a 5/8-inch by 3/4-inch meter costs $1,500. A 1-inch meter runs $1,700, a 2-inch meter costs $2,000 and a 4-inch meter is $2,400.

Sewer tap fees are $3,000 for a gravity connection and $5,000 for a grinder pump connection. New residential customers also pay capacity fees of $1,000 per home for water and $2,000 per home for sewer. State law prohibits the district from waiving connection fees.

Board's stated rationale

In a resolution adopting the new rates, the board stated the adjustments are necessary to maintain revenue for operations, fund capital improvement projects, meet regulatory requirements and preserve the district's long-term financial stability.

Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower named HUD one of six inaugural recipients of the state's Financial Excellence Award for Fiscal Year 2025, announced Tuesday, Sept. 29.

"These local governments are doing more than simply meeting requirements," Mumpower said. "They have demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining financial practices that will serve their citizens and customers well into the future."

What's not yet clear

The district has not published its previous rate schedule online, so the dollar-amount change from prior rates is not available for comparison.

Two official HUD documents also list different details about the approval. The website fee schedule certifies the rates were passed May 12, with Boyers as president and Flowers as treasurer. A separate board resolution certifies them as passed June 17, with Flowers as president and T. Gregory Miller as treasurer. Neither document explains the discrepancy.

The HUD Board of Commissioners meets on the third Monday of each month at 4 p.m. at the district's office, 125 Indian Lake Road. Customers with questions can call 615-824-3717.