Richmond Hill residents could see their water/sewer bills double in three years as the city works toward paying off the $21 million expansion and upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant.

During a city council workshop Thursday night, Barry Hall, the president of Governmental Enterprises, presented a funding scenario to help pay off a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority loan.

He proposed phasing in rate increases for residents over the next three years, meaning an average water/sewer bill of $22 a month could be $44 a month by 2014.

Hall did say Richmond Hill would still have the lowest water and sewer rates in Coastal Georgia.

The city council will likely vote on the proposed rate increases during the council's regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at city hall, according to City Manager Mike Melton.  

For more, pick up the Jan. 29 edition of the Bryan County News.