KENOVA -- Sewer rate increases and recent water problems will be the main topics of discussion at the Kenova City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Kenova Mayor Ric Griffith said he will report to the council about the issues with the city's water system that forced many of the city's customers to boil their water when a pressure valve broke recently. Griffith said he is creating a plan more quickly inform Kenova residents about water issues when they occur, do necessary maintenance to avoid future problems and to replace outdated pipes.

To make sewer improvements, the city council is prepared to pass an ordinance raising monthly sewer bills from $10.01 to $11.11 for the first 2,000 gallons of water used -- an 11 percent increase. It is expected to be implemented in February if the council approves it.

Griffith said the rate hike comes after the completion of a project mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency that overhauled the city's combined sewer and storm water drainage system. The $8.9 million project separated the city's sewer system that leaked into the Ohio River during heavy storms.

The sewer rate increases will go to pay back the 30-year bond needed to complete the project.

If the city didn't approve the project in 2007, Griffith said the city faced a $70,000-a-day fine from the EPA. The decision to use bonds and start the project following the EPA's recommendation in November 2007 probably saved the city $1 million in potential fines, Griffith said.

City Engineer Bill Cunningham will discuss the progress of city projects, including road repair and water and sewer projects.

The meeting will be in the Council Chambers at Kenova City Hall, 1501 Pine St.

AP Video