Rising cost of water presents district challenges

For the 10th year in a row, the North Texas Municipal Water District has increased water rates to its member cities.

The NTMWD, a nonprofit wholesale water provider, is increasing its rates almost 10.5 percent, or 24 cents per 1,000 gallons. The rate will increase from $2.29 per 1,000 gallons to $2.53 per 1,000 gallons for fiscal year 2016-17.

For the city of Plano, that equals an increase of $6.4 million owed to the NTMWD for the upcoming year. However, this year the city is not passing along any of the NTMWD increase to its residents.