A comparison of water utilities rates across Minnesota and some surrounding states show Austin stacking up pretty well against its neighbors.

Of the 31 cities in Minnesota surveyed, Austin was number seven for monthly utilities rates at $14.70 per month based on a 7,500 gallon per month usage.

"We have some really good water in Austin," Austin Utilities General Manager Jerry McCarthy said. "Our wells are really deep, and we don't have to do a lot of treatment for it."

He said the wells in Austin are usually between 900 and 1,000 feet deep.

For waste water, Austin fell near the middle at number 16 for its $22.74 monthly rates.

McCarthy said a lot of customers in a recent survey said they felt the water rates were high in Austin. McCarthy said misconception is due to the fact that the sewer rates, which are managed by the city, are figured in on the water bill.

"Our customers think our water rates are really high, and coupled with the sewer rates, they are," McCarthy said.

To clear up the misconception, the Austin Utilities has separated the two charges onto separate sections of the bill, he said.

City Administrator Jim Hurm said the rates demonstrate good management. Those rates fit with the city's history of lower property taxes and cutting city positions, he said.

"All these things tell you that this city has been run well," he said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com