Sean C. Morgan
Water and sewer rates increased in July, sometimes apparently to the surprise of some water users.
The New Era has received at least one letter complaining about the rates and a couple of verbal complaints. The City of Sweet Home has received 10 to 15.
“All of the complaints that I’ve received, directly or indirectly, it at least showed that their consumption was up,” Public Works Director Mike Adams said. The rate increase combined with increased use has resulted in larger bills.
One customer concerned about the increase in rates used considerably more water during the last summer than summer of last year. In August, that customer used 4,600 cubic feet of water, up from 3,500 last year. For the same user consumption was up from 1,900 cubic feet to 2,400, and in September it was up from 1,600 cubic feet to 1,900.
Much of the water used in the summer is not counted in customers’ sewer bills. Customers who water their lawns can use their average winter consumption for summer sewer billing. This recognizes that the water used in irrigating a lawn is not passed through the waste water collection system or treatment plant.
The rate increase implemented in July included the following components: First, the base charge for water was increased from $14.35 to $15.94 and for waste water from $14.34 to $16.40. An additional charge for “inflow and infiltration” repairs remained the same at $1.69. The total is charged at a flat rate to all customers and includes the first 400 cubic feet. The total increase in base charges was $3.65 to $34.03.
On top of the base charge, the city increased a unit charge of $2.58 per hundred cubic feet for water to $3.54 and $2.63 per hundred cubic feet for waste water to $4.16. At 700 cubic feet, the total bill increased from $46.01 to $57.13.
At 722 cubic feet, the total the city considers average, the total increased from $47.16 to $58.82. At 2,500 cubic feet, the cost increased from $139.79 to $195.73.
Each 100 cubic feet equals 748.06 gallons.
Adams broke the cost down and measured it in gallons for the first 400 cubic feet. The cost to the consumer for water delivered to the home is .53 cents per gallon. Disposal through the sewer is .55 cents per gallon. Each gallon after that point, 2,992 gallons, costs .47 cents for delivery ad .56 cents for disposal.
Sometimes skyrocketing usage and a large bill indicate a leak. The City of Sweet Home will adjust bills for leaks after repairs are made.
For water, the city will adjust bills based on the 12-month average prior to the break. It also charges the user for half of the water volume measured above the average for the period after the break. For sewer, the city adjusts bills to reflect the 12-month average prior to the break.