Water Rates

This last Tuesday evening, March 31, the Pressurized Irrigation team held an open house at Legacy Elementary. Residents who came to this thorough presentation found displays, handouts, demonstrations, and live bodies to answer their every question. How do I connect to the system? How much will my rates increase? What is the latest construction schedule? And of course, that perennial favorite, What the devil is the City Council thinking?

Given the quality of the information available, I was disappointed not to see more people there. By my informal count, the ratio of attendance was only 2:1, or two members of the public for every member of the team.

Noting this, you will perhaps understand the frustration I feel when folks who have just absorbed the shock of the increase come to me and say, "You never told us." A classic example came to my inbox last night:

Last year, you in city government, talked about the new irrigation system as if it would save money for the average AF resident. Actually, according to your newly posted examples, it will cost most people about 300% of their prior year cost. I feel you have been deceptive in your communication and practices. We need new and honest leadership.

In point of fact, we did tell you. I quote from the voter information pamphlet which was mailed to every home in October of 2006, and which was included as an insert to both the Daily Herald and the American Fork Citizen (may it rest in peace) in the weeks prior to the November 2006 election:

What will this bond cost me, the rate payer?
If the secondary system is approved, households will become subject to two separate rate schedules. In addition to the $5 assessment for CUP water, utility bills will show separate charges for culinary water and for secondary water.

Culinary water will be billed at $13.85 for the first 6,000 gallons of water used each month. (6,000 gallons was chosen because it is the figure for average monthly household indoor use.) Usage above this volume will incur additional charges based on a sliding scale of $2 per 1,000 for the next 2,000 gallons; $2.50 per 1,000 for the next 2,000 gallons after that, and so on.

Secondary rates will be charged year-round according to lot size. Lots up to 9,000 square feet will be charged the base fee of $14 per month. Rates increase at $17.50 per 10,000 square feet thereafter.

Connection to the secondary system is not mandatory, and connection fees will not be charged during the construction period.

Does this mean my monthly rates will go up?
Most homes will see a significant increase in their monthly water bill.
For the majority of American Fork homes, which sit on quarter-acre lots, the estimated monthly bill, under the current proposal, would be:

CUP water $5.00
Culinary water $13.85
Secondary water $17.31
TOTAL MONTHLY WATER BILL $36.16

This is in contrast to the present average household water bill of $21. (This average is derived from annual consumption which includes both indoor and outdoor usage, and is calculated at $10 for the first 8,000 gallons and 75 cents per thousand gallons thereafter.)

When will the new rates take effect?
Rates will take effect at different times in different sections of the City, as the system is installed. Individual users will not be charged secondary rates until the system is available for connection. The additional charge for CUP water will take effect in February 2007 regardless of whether the bond passes or not.

This is what we told the voters, who approved the bond by a 54-45 vote. This is what we have been telling the residents ever since, at hearings, in the newspaper, through special mailers, and at the project Web site. And this is what I'm telling you now.

So call the rates expensive and I'm with you. Call me deceptive and we part company.

For a more detailed discussion of rates, please see the article "Culinary and Pressurized Irrigation Costs" at the project Web site by following this link.