Water rates for most of the county's 400 residential customers will stay the same at a $17 minimum for the first 2,000 gallons of water used. The 61 residential customers in Glen Wilton, however, will see a slight increase because their base water rate was lower. It will rise to $17, the same as the other customers. The board of supervisors equalized the rates Tuesday, effectively increasing commercial water and sewer rates by about 20 percent, depending on use. Supervisors also increased fees for commercial water connections by 10 percent and sewer connections by 20 percent to 26 percent.

Residential water connections stayed the same but residential sewer connections went up $500 to $2,500.

Monthly residential sewer services will increase to a flat $20.50 a month, from $18.50, for most customers. The commercial rate will go from a $27 minimum for the first 4,000 gallons to $33 for the same amount.

The county has 2,000 sewer customers.

The increase for residential sewer services is expected to generate $47,000 monthly, said Rusty Richardson, public works manager for the county. The county anticipates receiving $47,000 from the commercial water increase and $102,000 from the commercial sewer increase.

Richardson said he couldn't project revenues from water and sewer connections because of the uncertainty of the numbers of businesses or residences that will be built.

Supervisors also eliminated an $18.50 monthly availability fee that was charged to residents who live within 250 feet of public water and sewer lines but weren't connected to them.

Residents who have been delinquent in paying that fee will get a reprieve. The county is writing off about $25,000 in uncollected fees that have accumulated for at least the past 10 years.

Anyone who has paid the fee on time and wants to connect will be credited for any availability fees they have paid in the past, according to Buchanan District Supervisor Terry Austin.

Unconnected residents who live near water and sewer lines will be allowed to connect for half price for a six-month period beginning Saturday.