COUNTY News:
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will bring to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) a draft ordinance to increase retail and wholesale water rates by 10-percent. Open to the public, the hearing on the proposed rate is scheduled for:
The meeting is 5:30 p.m., Aug. 17 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building and is open to the public.
If approved, the draft ordinance will be introduced to the Los Alamos County Council Aug. 30 to be scheduled for a public hearing Sept. 27. Council will consider adoption of the ordinance at that time.
Recent water sales have not matched the forecasted volume, driving the need for a rate increase. Rates are designed to allow the DPU to recover its costs, as well as bring in reasonable revenue to maintain reliable water services to Los Alamos County.
COMMENTS
Please provide comments on this open forum page before 11:59PM on Monday Aug. 15. All comments from this forum will be shared with the Board of Public Utilities prior to the hearing. Members of the public also are welcome to provide public comment in person to the BPU at the Aug. 17 hearing.
RETAIL RATES
The draft ordinance proposes a 10-percent rate increase across the board for retail customers’ monthly service fee and the commodity rate. Retail customers include commercial, county/schools, residential, and multifamily.
MONTHLY SERVICE FEE
|
Water Meter Size |
Existing Monthly Fee |
Proposed Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
1-1/4 inch & under |
$7.93 |
$8.72 |
|
1-1/2 inch |
$25.12 |
$27.63 |
|
2-inch |
$37.50 |
$41.25 |
|
2-1/2-inch, 3-inch |
$74.00 |
$81.40 |
|
4-inch |
$126.00 |
$138.60 |
|
6-inch |
$266.00 |
$292.60 |
|
8-inch |
$439.50 |
$483.45 |
COMMODITY RATE:
The commodity rate for all commercial, county and school customers is one rate per 1,000 gallons consumed all year.
Residential and multifamily customers are on a seasonal water rate. Off-peak season begins Oct. 1 through April 30 and is one rate per 1,000 gallons consumed with no tiers (the same as commercial, county and school customers).
|
Customer Class |
Existing Rate |
Proposed Rate |
|
Commercial (all year) |
$4.19/1,000 gallons |
$4.61/1,000 gallons |
|
County/Schools (all year) |
$4.19/1,000 gallons |
$4.61/1,000 gallons |
|
Residential (off-peak) |
$4.19/1,000 gallons |
$4.61/1,000 gallons |
|
Multifamily (off-peak) |
$4.19/1,000 gallons |
$4.61/1,000 gallons |
Peak Season – Tiered Water Rates
Peak season begins May 1 and continues through September 30. It applies a tiered water rate only to residential and multifamily customers and is designed to recover higher costs associated with higher consumption. Comprising three different rates per 1,000 gallons consumed the tiers are based on the following: Tier 1) first 9,000 gallons; Tier 2) between 9,000 and 15,000 gallons, and Tier 3) above 15,000 gallons.
|
RESIDENTIAL (PEAK SEASON) |
Existing Rate |
Proposed Rate |
|
Tier 1 Rate: <9,000 gallons |
$4.19/1,000 gallons |
$4.61/1,000 gallons |
|
Tier 2 Rate: 9,000 – 15,000 gallons |
$4.45/1,000 gallons |
$4.90/1,000 gallons |
|
Tier 3 Rate: >15,000 gallons |
$5.32/1,000 gallons |
$5.85/1,000 gallons |
|
MULTIFAMILY (PEAK SEASON) |
Existing Rate |
Proposed Rate |
|
Tier 1 Rate: <9,000 gallons |
$4.19/1,000 gallons |
$4.61/1,000 gallons |
|
Tier 2 Rate: 9,000 – 15,000 gallons |
$4.40/1,000 gallons |
$4.84/1,000 gallons |
|
Tier 3 Rate: >15,000 gallons |
$4.50/1,000 gallons |
$4.95/1,000 gallons |
EXAMPLE WATER BILL
The following are examples of a monthly water bill for a typical RESIDENTIAL customer with a one inch meter.
January (Off-Peak Season) water bill for consumption of 6,000 gallons
|
January (Off-Peak Season) 6,000 gallons |
Existing Rate |
Proposed Rate |
|
Monthly Service Fee |
$7.93 |
$8.72 |
|
Commodity Rate/1,000 gallons |
$4.19 x 6 = $25.14 |
$4.61 x 6 = $27.66 |
|
TOTAL BILL |
$33.07 |
$36.38 |
July (Peak Season) water bill for consumption of 12,000 gallons.
|
July (Peak Season) 12,000 gallons |
Existing Rate |
Proposed Rate |
|
Monthly Service Fee |
$7.93 |
$8.72 |
|
Tier 1 Rate/1,000 gallons |
$4.19 x 9 = $37.71 |
$4.61 x 9 = $41.49 |
|
Tier 2 Rate/1,000 gallons |
$4.45 x 3 = $13.35 |
$4.90 x 3 = $14.70 |
|
TOTAL BILL |
$58.99 |
$64.91 |
WHOLESALE RATES
Wholesale or bulk water rates apply only to the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Department of Public Utilities Water Distribution Division. These two entities purchase bulk water and then distribute the water to their respective customers. The draft ordinance proposes a 10-percent increase as follows:
|
Wholesale Rates |
Existing Rate |
Proposed Rate |
|
Monthly Service Fee |
$542.00 |
$596.20 |
|
Commodity Rate/1,000 gallons |
$2.88 |
$3.17 |
Add Your Statement, the deadline to weigh in is 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15.