Utilities Board member David Powell speaks during public comment at tonight’s Council meeting in favor of a proposed tiered water rate system. He said that the current flat rate is fundamentally unfair during peak summer months when the majority of residents subsidize a minority of high water usage residents. PrintScreen photo/LADP

Staff Report

Los Alamos County Council voted 7-2 this evening to adopt a seasonal tiered water rate system. Council Chair Geoff Rodgers and Councilor Pete Sheehey voted against the motion.

For several months, the Board of Public Utilities has been considering several water rate design alternatives and tonight, adopted Ordinance No. 02-242.

The three tiers included in the ordinance are usage of less than 9,000 gallons, 9,000 to 15,000 gallons and more than 15,000 gallons. The tiers are graduated, meaning that a customer who uses more than 15,000 gallons would pay the first tier rate for the first 9,000 gallons, second tier rate for gallons 9,000 to 15,000 and the third tier rate for gallons in excess of 15,000.

The tiered water rate will be implemented during the peak usage months of May through September and return to a flat rate October through April.