Sutter Creek residents will soon see a significant increase in sewer rates. The city is currently in the process of implementing a Sanitary Sewer Management Project, or SSMP, as a part of the statewide Waste Discharge Requirements adopted in 2006. The SSMP will also fulfill the City’s requirements under the Cleanup and Abatement Order issued in September of 2001 by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The city council heard a presentation this week by Assistant City Manager Sean Rabe, who is in charge of managing the project. He explained the details and requirements of the SSMP, which is estimated to cost around 400,000 dollars a year when fully underway. The city is currently undergoing discussions with a consultant who created a program for the Jamestown Wastewater District on how to best implement the Operations and Maintenance Program element, one of the largest aspects of the SSMP in terms of cost and time. The final certification of the SSMP is scheduled for May 1, 2010, but residents can expect the rate increase by the end of this month, when the first phase is completed.