Most area residents take it for granted that when they flush the toilet or use the shower, the wastewater generated will flow to and through a treatment plant before being released back into the environment. But the people in charge of wastewater treatment can’t take for granted that 20 or 30 years from now, the systems will remain in good condition.

Several East Ohio communities, including Bellaire, are served by the Eastern Ohio Regional Wastewater Authority. A recent rate increase by the EORWA was discussed last week during a Bellaire Village Council meeting. Several authority officials attended the meeting, at Mayor Vince DiFabrizio’s request.

Authority Executive Director Valerie Moore explained the meeting was an opportunity to “clear the air” over the rate increase.

Obviously, no one wants to pay any more than necessary for utilities such as wastewater disposal. But holding rates down to levels needed merely to cover day-to-day operations is a mistake.

“The rate increases we’ve instituted over the last year or so have been minimal,” EORWA President Roger Stewart told Bellaire council members. “We’re trying to make sure (the authority) doesn’t end up like the city of Steubenville.”

That municipality has become something of a poster child for long-term water and sewer system management failures. For decades, water and sewer rates there were held so low that routine maintenance suffered and regular upgrades were not funded.

To their enormous credit, current members of Steubenville City Council refused to keep that trend going. They have agreed to substantial rate increases needed to get the water and sewer systems back in good shape. That will take years.

“A lot’s been done in our authority over a number of years, and we’re working to get things taken care of,” Stewart explained to council.

Good.

Of course, everyone involved needs to monitor EORWA finances to ensure money is being spent prudently. But slightly higher rates now, used for routine maintenance and regular upgrades, are better than a deteriorated system requiring massive new funding in the future. It is a simple matter of paying now or paying a lot more in the future.