Newgen Strategies & Solutions is being brought in to take an independent look at the sewer rates for #MiddletownRI to make sure adjustments aren't needed. The effort will be covered with fund balance money from the town's Sewer Fund.
SEWER RATE STUDY ON TAP
MIDDLETOWN, RI (SEPTEMBER 22, 2025) – The Town of Middletown is moving forward with an analysis of its sewer rates.
At a meeting last week, the Town Council signed off on the thorough review of its rates and system by Newgen Strategies & Solutions of Annapolis, Maryland.
It will be the first such study in about five years. Money for the $42,000 contract will come from the fund balance in the town’s Sewer Fund, which is supported by sewer ratepayers.
“Periodically, we have to do a sewer rate analysis,” Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said. “This is required not only for the good operations of the Sewer Fund, but also when we borrow money for capital projects related to sewer maintenance operations for the Town of Middletown.”
Like most infrastructure, most people don’t consider the town’s sewer system unless there’s a problem.
Over the past two decades, Middletown has invested heavily to upgrade its network, which sends effluent to the City of Newport’s wastewater plant on Connell Highway for treatment.
According to figures from the town’s Finance Department, Middletown ratepayers have spent about $26 million maintaining, working and improving the sewer network.
In addition to helping the environment, the work has limited the flow of clean rainwater into the system and helped promote economic development, among other benefits.
All told, the town has close to 73 miles of underground sewer lines as well as 15 pump stations in its system. Two of the pump stations operate seasonally — at Second Beach and the Second Beach Family Campground.
Under the Fiscal 2026 budget, sewer users pay is $19.39 per 1,000 gallons of usage. The rate was approved in late May and is expected to result in an annual increase of about $84 for the average user, bringing the total to around $890 per year.
“(Newgen) is going to look at the way our sewer rates are currently structured and then they’re going to also look at how the Sewer Fund operates…” Brown said. “It looks at what’s the appropriate way to charge people, it looks at what’s affordable and not affordable and our capital revenue as we continue to evaluate the system and make improvements.”
Brown said the town also has studies on the performance of the entire sewer network and as well as an updated facility plan and operations manual so everything is working in synch and together as much as reasonably possible.
“There’s really four parts of the sewer network that are being studied that are going on to bring us back up to where we need to be so the fund continues to run properly and correctly,” Brown said.
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Sewer-Rate-Study
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov