Title
Wastewater Volume Based Billing Proposal
Recommended Action
UAC Deliverable:
Review and provide input
Report
Issue:
The 2013 Wastewater Management Plan as adopted by City Council supports further evaluation of the potential for volume-based wastewater utility rates for residential customers. Currently, residential wastewater customers pay a flat rate.
Staff Contact:
Andy Haub, P.E., Director of Water Resources, 360.570.3795
Diane Utter, P.E., Water Resources Engineer, 360.753.8562
Background and Analysis:
The Utility Advisory Committee initiated a discussion of the potential for volume-based wastewater rates as part of developing the 2013 Wastewater Management Plan. Subsequently, City Council adopted the Plan including the following goal, objective, and strategy:
3A. Objective: In concert with the Drinking Water Utility, reduce non-irrigation residential water use.
3A1. Strategy - Implement a volume-based residential rate structure for the Wastewater Utility.
Basing residential wastewater rates on the volume of drinking water consumed should result in improved water use efficiencies for both the Wastewater and Drinking Water utilities. Rates for commercial wastewater customers are already flow-based.
Additionally, this strategy addresses potential financial inequity issues associated with the current flat monthly rate for residential wastewater. As Utility revenues will need to be maintained through the rate re-structuring, rates for some customers will inevitably increase. A financial analysis has been completed as part of this Plan and we will initiate an effort to implement a volume-based rate structure in 2014. Also see Strategy 5B1.
5B. Objective - Manage utility rates and connection fees consistent with the City's guiding principle of growth paying for growth.
5B1. Strategy - Update utility rates and general facility charges (GFCs) to reflect costs of providing needed services, while looking for opportuni...
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