2013_1125_packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Water Usage Rate Category SF Residential: Up to 30,000 gals. /qtr SF Residential: Over 30,000 gals. /qtr (winter rate) SF Residential: Over 30,000 gals. /qtr (summer rate) Non -SF Residential (winter rate) Non -SF Residential (summer rate) Rates are per 1,000 gallons 2013 2014 % of SF Homes: Summer Rate Rate Comments $ 2.15 $ 2.20 Standard SF rate 2.40 2.45 Standard SF rate +10% 2.65 2.70 Standard SF rate +20% 2.80 2.90 Standard SF rate +30% 3.10 3.20 Standard SF rate +40% The current structure encourages both year -round conservation measures as well as a heightened incentive for both residential and non - residential properties to monitor water used for irrigation purposes. The following chart depicts the percentage of single - family (SF) homes that fall into the current water rate categories. Water Rate Tier % of SF Homes: Winter % of SF Homes: Summer 0 — 30,000 gallons per quarter 90% 85% Over 30,000 per quarter 10% 15 Total 100% 100% As this table indicates, under the current water rate structure, 10 -15% (950 - 1,400) of single - family homes are impacted by the higher rates. If we lowered the threshold for Tier 2 to 20,000 gallons per quarter, approximately 20-30% of single - family homes would be impacted; or double the current amount. It has been suggested that the current rate structure doesn't do enough to encourage water conservation. It could be argued however, that before such a conclusion is drawn there ought to be some amount of discussion and analysis to determine; 1) what amount of household usage is reasonable, and 2) whether Roseville residents are adhering to that standard. It could further be argued that education and awareness could prove to be equally effective in promoting water conservation as would a financial incentive or penalty. Especially if that incentive is a moderate one compared to what a household is already paying. In either case, it is very difficult to establish a clear cause - effect relationship of these efforts given the variation in household occupants and other factors such as rainfall amounts. I'll conclude by returning to the cautionary statement noted above regarding the potential unfairness that tiered water rates can have on larger families. Although our current usage threshold for reaching the 2nd rate tier is at 30,000 gallons per quarter, let's use 15,000 gallons for illustrative purposes. Let's assume that the per - person water usage for someone that follows moderate water conservation measures is 5,000 gallons per quarter. A 3- person household would use 15,000