Title
Briefing on Volume-Based Utility Rates Proposal to Base Single-Family Residential Wastewater Rates on Water Usage
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) reviewed and supports the recommendations (see Attachment 1).
City Manager Recommendation:
Recommend forwarding volume-based rates proposal to the full City Council.
Report
Issue:
Volume-based wastewater rates were discussed by the City's UAC during recent wastewater planning processes. The emerging rate proposal would provide a percentage of single-family residential customers with a discount on their wastewater rate for drinking water usage substantially lower than the average. The Committee will consider whether or not volume-based wastewater rates should be implemented in 2016.
Staff Contact:
Diane Utter, Water Resources Engineer, 360.753.8562
Andy Haub, Water Resources Director, 360.753.8475
Presenter(s):
Diane Utter, Water Resources Engineer
Background and Analysis:
The 2013 Council-adopted Wastewater Management Plan includes goals for rates and fees that support financial equity and affordability, minimize rate increases and maintain consistent levels of service. The Plan supports evaluating the feasibility of volume-based wastewater utility rates for residential customers. Residential customers currently pay a flat wastewater rate regardless of how much drinking water they use and how much wastewater they generate.
The UAC initiated a discussion about volume-based residential wastewater rates as part of the 2013 Wastewater Management Plan. In May 2013, April and October 2014, and June 2015, City staff presented the UAC with options for both two- and three-tiered residential wastewater rates. The proposed rate structure would incentivize water conservation and provide rate discounts for customers that produce low volumes of wastewater. Since wastewater is not metered, drinking water is used to calculate how much wastewate...
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