Public Utilities Department

Water & Sewer Rates
Just the Facts

2010 Water & Sewer Rates
Effective July 1, 2010

 

2010 Water & Sewer Rates Brochure - May 2010

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much will the bill increase?

The average bill will increase about 17%.  The impact of the rate change on an individual customer’s bill will vary. For example, if you have a 5/8” water meter and use 15 consumptions per two month billing period, your water bill will increase from $69.90 to $74.60 (an increase of $2.35/month). The charge for sewer will increase from $38.89 to $53.64 (an increase of $7.38/month).

 

Measuring water usage
1 consumption = 748 gallons = 100 cubic feet

 

	Bi-monthly Rates
	Existing	Effective 7/1/10
Water Service
Minimum Bill*	$ 35.00	$ 37.00
Ea. Add’l. Consumption	$ 3.878	$ 4.178
Sanitary Sewer Service
Minimum Bill*	$  15.90	$ 17.90
Ea. Add’l. Consumption	$ 2.554	$ 3.971

 

The sewer charge provides for the transmission of wastewater from the residence or business to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) transmission lines. There will also be an additional charge by HRSD for wastewater treatment. Contact HRSD at 460-2491 concerning any rate increases they have implemented.


*This bimonthly minimum charge is for a 5/8” residential meter and included six (6) consumptions. The minimum charge for larger meters varies according to size.




2. Why is this increase necessary?

The 2005 rate study provided funding requirements for rate adjustments through July 1, 2010, in order to address the increased cost of purchased water and the Regional Consent Order requirements.




3. Does DPU receive tax dollars?

No, tax money is not used to support the department.





4. Where does DPU get its money?

Public Utilities operates as an Enterprise Fund. We are like a nonprofit business within the City organization. The department is self-supporting from water sales, sewer services, and other related fees and charges.




5. Why is the sewer rate increased more than the water rate?

The higher sewer rate is a direct result of the need to meet federal and state mandates through the Consent Order to prevent sanitary sewer overflows.  Programs to upgrade the sewer system, therefore, must be addressed in an accelerated manner to meet the stated goals.  Please see more about the Consent Order below.




6. What has Public Utilities tried to hold costs down?

We have deferred expenses as much as possible by controlling discretionary spending, Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) projects in spite of needs, reduced CIB funds for system renewals and found ways to optimize service areas.




7. How does the purchased water affect the budget?

We purchase treated water from Norfolk and Portsmouth. We have also contracted with Norfolk to purchase untreated water. These contractual costs have increased significantly over the past five years: Norfolk has increased 15%, Portsmouth has increased 28% and Norfolk raw water increased 14%.

These costs account for about 43% of our operating budget.




8. Doesn’t growth in the City bring more income to Public Utilities?

With the slow growth of 0.7% , sales remain flat. The flat sales are being experienced by all municipalities in this area and are increasing awareness of water conservation.




9. What other pressures are on Public Utilities that affect its budget?

Unfunded EPA and DEQ mandates impact all the regional utility departments’ budgets. The City must comply with these mandates. These mandates will lead to more sewer upgrade projects in our Capital Improvement Budget. Over the next 5 year CIB the department is anticipating $5.1 M for sewer maintenance, $19.6 M for Sewer projects and $13.1 M for Consent Order related projects for a grand total of $37.8 M.




10. What is the Consent Order?

September 26, 2007 is the effective date that the State Water Control Board Special Order by Consent (SOC) was  issued to the Chesapeake, along with Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, James City, York, Gloucester and Isle of Wight counties, Poquoson, Suffolk, Smithfield and Hampton Roads Sanitation District.  The purpose of the mandate is to minimize sanitary sewer overflows. Some of the milestones for the consent order are:

• 2011 – Complete evaluation of the condition of the sewer system.

• 2012 – Submit prioritized plan to DEQ for needed renewals to the system.

• 2013 – Participate in the Regional Wet Weather Management Plan in conjunction with HRSD and other Hampton Roads localities.

• Work has begun on making critical repairs found during the evaluation of the system.

• The entire program is anticipated to take 20 years or more to complete.

If you want to talk with someone about the rate increase,
please contact us at (757) 382-6352.

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Two quick tips are to fix leaks in toilets and faucets and wash full loads in your clothes and dish washers.

For additional money-saving tips, check out 100 Ways to Save Water on the Water Use it Wisely site.

 

For more information,
call our Public Utilities Department
(757) 382-6401