GREENE – As of June 1, Greene’s village residents will not only be paying more for their water, but they will also be paying more often.

Following a public hearing held Monday night, the village board of trustees voted unanimously to adopt a new rate schedule which will raise water rates and begin billing on a monthly basis rather than quarterly. The rate increase will be partially offset by a decrease in sewer rates.

According to Mayor Marcia Miller, the change is the first in four years. It was made necessary, she said, because of the rising costs associated with operating the municipal water system and wastewater treatment facility.

“In the past we’ve been able to absorb it,” Miller said, but given the current economy that is no longer possible.

Village residents who are currently paying $10 for their first 5,000 gallons and $2 per additional thousand gallons on a quarterly basis, will now pay $6 for the first 3,000 gallons and $2.50 per thousand gallons over that amount as well as a new monthly meter charge of $2.

Rural customers, water districts and private contracts currently pay $12.50 for the first 5,000 gallons and $2.50 for each additional thousand gallons. As of June 1, these customers will be charged $7.50 for the first 3,000 gallons and $3.25 for every thousand gallons over that base amount, along with the $2 meter charge.

Minimum charges will also change with the new rate schedule. On a monthly basis, village residents will pay a minimum of $8 per billing cycle which includes the meter fee, rural non-residents $9.50, non-metered residents $15, and non-metered rural customers $18.75. Previously these minimum charges were billed on a quarterly basis with village residents paying a minimum of $10 per billing cycle, rural non-residents $12.50 and non-metered customers $25.

What will the change mean for customers? With the new rates, a residential dwelling in the village which uses under 3,000 gallons a month will see their yearly water expenditures more than double from $40 to $96.