Hinsdale residents could see sewer charges rise 32% over two years under a proposal town officials plan to review at a public hearing Monday, Nov. 16.
The plan calls for a 16% increase in each of the next two years. Town Administrator Kathryn Lynch said a financial review found that the existing rate structure does not produce enough revenue to cover the sewer system's day-to-day expenses.
The proposed changes would increase the usage charge by $1.32 per 1,000 gallons and raise the quarterly user fee by $15.17. The changes would be applied annually over two years rather than all at once.
Proposed sewer charges
- Current usage charge: $8.22 per 1,000 gallons
- Current quarterly user fee: $94.79
- Proposed increase: $1.32 per 1,000 gallons and $15.17 per quarter
- Planned schedule: 16% annually for two years
Lynch said the review examined the condition of town assets, anticipated repair requirements and the revenue needed to keep the sewer budget financially stable. The proposed rate structure is intended to move the operation out of a deficit while providing money for maintenance and infrastructure work.
Hinsdale is using a similar two-year approach for its water rates. Those charges are also set to increase by 16% annually for two years. The current water charge is $6.96 per 1,000 gallons, in addition to a quarterly meter fee of $48.40.
Statewide figures provide a comparison for household water and sewer costs. A 2025 analysis by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services found that a household using 90,000 gallons per year paid an average of $867.93 for water and $1,100.04 for sewage in New Hampshire.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average person uses about 82 gallons of water per day. The Hinsdale proposal is scheduled for review at the Monday public hearing before town officials consider whether to approve the new sewer rates.
