Residents will see an increase in their water bills. Charges from the CBCWA will pay for the costs associated with constructing the water pipeline and buying quality water from Manitowoc. The new water supply will exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) water quality standards that take effect in December 2006 and will be a viable a plentiful source for years to come. Currently, many of the member communities do not meet the EPA's new standards.

The actual water rate paid by residents of the Authority's member municipalities will vary from community to community. Each local water utility has its own internal costs to operate its water system. This cost will be added to the wholesale rate for which the Authority will sell water to the communities. This combined number will be the cost per thousand gallons. Again, this number will be different for each community, based on each community's internal costs.

The initial unit cost of water paid to the Authority should decline over time for member municipalities as they grow in population and use more water. CBCWA rates are established each fall and put into effect on January 1st of each year. The CBCWA rate for 2007 to the communities is $3.31 per 1,000 gallons.

Once the construction debt has been retired, the communities buying water from the Water Authority will see a water rates reduction. This is similar to a situation when a homeowner pays off the mortgage on his or her house.

An opportunity is the potential for the Authority to add new communities to its membership. These new communities would be required to pay a connection fee and contribute towards Authority expenses. Adding new customers will increase water sales and reduce the overall water rate to all the communities.