Board of Directors Adopts 2007 Water and Sewer Rates

Tuesday, June 18, 2006

After holding a public hearing June 15, 2006, the Western Virginia Water Authority (Authority) Board of Directors voted to adopt new water and sewer rates for all of its customers in 2007. The new rates will be effective January 1, 2007.

In 2004, board members endorsed a six-year water/sewer rate equalization plan that will equalize water and sewer rates for all Water Authority customers through incremental changes to these charges by 2010.

The proposed 2007 sewer rates include increases for all wastewater customers to help fund capital projects and meet the collection system renovation requirements of the consent order executed between the Authority and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

In 2007, for a residential customer discharging 5,000 gallons, the monthly increase for City customers is $2.25. This includes changes in both the base charge and the volume rate, taking the average monthly bill from $16.50 to $18.75 or a 13.6% change. For County customers, the monthly increase is $1.75, due to a change in the volume rate. This will take the average monthly bill from $19.50 to $21.25 or an 8.9% change.

In 2007, for customers in the City of Roanoke using 5,000 gallons, the monthly increase in the base water rate will be $1.10 due to a change in the base charge and volume rate. This takes the average monthly bill from $15.60 to $16.70 or a 7.0% change.

In 2007, for customers in Roanoke County using 5,000 gallons, the monthly bill decreases by $0.10, due to a change in the base charge. This brings the monthly bill down from $20.20 to $20.10 or a 0.5% change.

The Authority's 2007 rates are below the 2005 average for customers in Virginia ($20.93 for water and $24.95 for sewer), as identified by the 17th Annual Virginia Water and Wastewater Rate Report by Draper Aden Associates and are in line with rate benchmarks set by the Board.

Adjustments to fire service fees continue with most City customer classes decreasing and County customers increasing. No changes are proposed for miscellaneous fees.

Tables of 2007 water and sewer rate changes for all meter sizes for all Authority customers are available on the Authority's website and directly from the Authority at 853-5700.