MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake could increase a one time charge required for all new water and sewer connections within the city.

The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance increasing utility system development charges by 2.7 percent to correspond with the consumer price index (CPI), which measures yearly changes in the price level of consumer goods and services purchased by households.

Pending passage of a second reading, the increased charge would take effect in June.

The charges were originally set up to pay for future improvements to water and sewer systems allowing for residential and commercial growth.

"This is really a buy-in to improvements that have already been made, meaning that the systems have been in place and funds have been expended over the years to build that capacity, so when somebody connects to that capacity these charges establish a buy-in on what has already been constructed," explained City Manager Joe Gavinski last week.

The charges, which only apply to new water and sewer installations, are updated annually to match the CPI.

In the past, they've helped pay for upgrades to the Larson and Sand Dunes sewer treatment plants, two reservoirs, sewer lining projects, upgrades to numerous water wells and sewer lift stations and water main inter-ties, according to Municipal Services Director Gary Harer.

The charges will also fund a new sewer main to be installed between the city's central operations facility and the Sand Dunes Treatment Plant, drilling new wells and constructing new pump houses, upgrading existing well houses and sewer lift stations and purchasing water rights, Harer said.