South Fork Sewer District hosting workshops to discuss rate increases

OSBURN – The South Fork Sewer District will be hosting three workshops to discuss upcoming rate increases for its customers.  

According to SFSD Manager Pete Stayton, aging infrastructure, rising operation costs, and stricter water regulations are forcing the district to increase rates. In a letter to its customers, SFSD broke down how the rates will increase as well as the district’s new connection fee.  

The increases are different for customers who also pay sewer bills to the cities of Kellogg, Osburn, Wallace, and Mullan. For any customer also paying a city, their quarterly bill will go from $109.50 to $112.65. Customers not paying a city will see their bills increase from $115.50 per quarter to $125.55.  

“The sewer district provides wastewater service to over 4,500 Silver Valley customers, treating an average of 2.24 million gallons per day to keep our community safe and to protect the river and Coeur d’Alene Lake,” Stayton said. “The district board has worked hard to keep rates as low as possible for a long time, only raising rates by $1.50 per month in the last seven years despite large increases in our costs. We don’t receive any tax revenue, so we must set rates at a level that covers increasing operating costs while also being prepared for unexpected and planned infrastructure replacement.”  

Stayton further explained how the increased regulatory requirements have provided opportunities for the district to pursue grant funding. Over the past few years, they have received nearly $22 million in grant funds from the state of Idaho and Shoshone County.  

“This funding goes a long way to help address future regulations, but it can’t be used for regular operating expenses,” Stayton said. “We believe our plan is the best way to phase things in gradually and keep it as fair as possible for everyone.”  

According to the letter from the district, the new rates will go into effect on December 1, 2025.    

During the upcoming workshops, the district hopes to educate people on the benefits of cost-based rates, explain how the rate increases will impact customers, and answer questions and comments.  

The first workshop is Wednesday, April 30, at the Shoshone County Fire District #1 station in Osburn at 7 p.m. The second workshop will be Tuesday, May 6, at the Shoshone County Fire District #2 station in Kellogg at 7 p.m. And the final workshop will be Thursday, May 15, at Mullan City Hall at 7 p.m.  

For more information, contact the South Fork Sewer District office at (208)753-8041.