Pelham water customers are paying new rates for the first time in 18 years.

New water rates, which more than doubled for some customers, went into effect in October, were reflected on November statements and became due this past December.

According to Ken Holler, public works director for the city of Pelham, the rate for inner city residential customers (served by wells) went from $5.60 for the first 3,000 gallons and $2 for each additional 1,000 gallons to $13 for the first 3,000 gallons and $3.13 for each additional 1,000 gallons. That reflects increases of $7.40 and $1.13.

Residents who were served by purchased water, Holler said, went from $10 for the first 3,000 gallons and $2.90 for each additional 1,000 gallons to the $13 rate for the first 3,000 gallons and $3.13 rate for each additional 1,000 gallons. Those changes reflect increases of $3 and 23 cents.

Holler said commercial customers saw rates changed from $10 for the first $3,000 gallons and $2 for each 1,000 gallons to $13 for the first 3,000 gallons and $3.13 for each additional 1,000. Those changes reflect increases of $3 and $1.13.

According to the city of Pelham website, &8220;All products and utilities necessary to provide you with the type of service in which you have become accustomed have continuously risen in cost.&8221;

Proposed capital improvements for the next five years, which Holler said are known, include: a Highway 52 booster, at a cost of $700,000; a Highway 119 booster station and line at a cost of $1.5 million; a Highway 36 tank at a cost of $700,000; and a Highway 261-12-inch loop at a cost of $300,000 for a total of $3.2 million.

He said these projects would be paid for by rate increase