If you haven’t noticed it already, residents in the City of Sparks are subject to new sewer rates on their quarterly bill, as of July 1st. The new rate affects only the sewer portion of the bill, not the storm drain, river flood or other rates. For single-family residential customers, the change comes in the form of an 8.25 percent increase in the sewer portion of the sewer rate, which will translate to a rate increase of about $1.53 per month for most customers, or about $4.60 per quarter. For multi-family residences, such as apartments or other buildings with more than one unit, the increase is $1.25 per month or $3.68 per quarter. Funds from the new sewer rate will continue to be used to maintain the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility, as well as the infrastructure necessary to maintain the city sewer system.