The Tuscarawas County Metropolitan Sewer District (TCMSD) provides water and sewer services to residents and businesses in Tuscarawas County. Our mission is to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable utility services while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations.
We operate and maintain water and sewer infrastructure, manage customer billing, and plan for long-term system improvements. Our work ensures public health, environmental protection, and sustainable service for the community.
Our rates are established under the authority granted by the Ohio Revised Code (ORC):
ORC 6103 – Governs county water supply systems and authorizes county commissioners to set water rates.
ORC 6117 – Governs county sewer districts and authorizes county commissioners to set sewer rates.
ORC 6119 – Governs regional water and sewer districts. We operate and maintain a 6119 district for the Village of Baltic and the surrounding community by contract, and its Board of Trustees has adopted our rates, which are reviewed and amended annually.
These statutes require that rates be reasonable and sufficient to cover the costs of operation, maintenance, and debt service, ensuring the financial stability of the systems we manage.
We understand that any rate increase can be a concern for our customers. That’s why we want to be transparent about the factors influencing this change. The 2026 rate adjustment is based on a careful analysis of the following cost drivers:
The cost of providing water and sewer services continues to rise due to inflation. This includes increases in:
Energy and chemical costs
Equipment and material prices
Labor and benefits
Contracted services and maintenance
These are essential to maintaining safe, reliable service and meeting day-to-day operational needs.
We are investing in critical infrastructure to:
Replace aging pipes, pumps, and treatment equipment
Improve system reliability and reduce emergency repairs
Expand capacity to support future growth
Major projects like the Hess Mill Pump Station Upgrade, Wilkshire Hills WWTP Upgrade, Wilkshire Hills Water System Upgrade, and the Stone Creek WWTP replacement are necessary to ensure long-term service quality and regulatory compliance.
Environmental and public health regulations continue to evolve. Compliance requires:
Upgraded monitoring and reporting systems
Updating treatment processes and collection systems
Minimum staff training and certification requirements
These investments protect public health and the environment, and help us avoid costly penalties.
To fund large-scale improvements, we rely on low-interest loans and grants. As these projects move into construction, we must begin repaying the debt. The 2026 rates include a combination of existing and new debt, as well as debt service reserves that are required by certain funding agencies.