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Rate Comparisons <br />126 <br />The charts below depict a number of water and sewer rate comparisons with other peer communities. <br />127 <br />For this analysis, peer communities include 1st ring suburbs that serve a population between 18,000 and <br />128 <br />50,000, and which are not simply an extension of a larger entity’s system. This group was selected to <br />129 <br />try and approximate cities with stand-alone systems with similar age of infrastructure which can have a <br />130 <br />significant influence on the cost of water and sewer services. <br />131 <br />132 <br />It should be noted that broad comparisons only give a cursory look at how one community compares to <br />133 <br />another. One must also incorporate each City’s individual philosophy in funding programs and <br />134 <br />services. <br />135 <br />136 <br />For example, Roseville does NOT utilize assessments to pay for water or sewer infrastructure <br />137 <br />replacements like many other cities do. Instead we fund infrastructure replacements 100% through the <br />138 <br />rates. As a result, Roseville’s water and sewer rates are inherently higher when compared to a City that <br />139 <br />uses assessments to pay for improvements. Other influences on the rates include whether or not a <br />140 <br />community softens its water before sending it on to customers, and the extent in which communities <br />141 <br />charge higher rates to non-residential customers. <br />142 <br />143 <br />The following chart depicts the peer group comparison for combined water base rate and usage rate for <br />144 <br />a single-family home that uses 18,000 gallons per quarter. <br />145 <br />146 <br />2014 Water Charge Comparison <br /> $100 <br /> $80 <br /> $60 <br /> $40 <br /> $20 <br />147 <br />148 <br />As is shown in the chart, Roseville’s total water charge is the highest in the comparison group. Again, <br />149 <br />there are numerous circumstances and policy preferences that can lead to varying rates among cities. <br />150 <br />One of the primary reasons why Roseville’s water rates are higher is due to the significant increase in <br />151 <br />infrastructure replacements, which unlike many other cities are funded solely by the rates. <br />152 <br />153 <br />The following chart depicts the peer group comparison for combined sewer base rate and usage rate for <br />154 <br />a single-family home that uses 15,000 gallons per quarter. <br />155 <br />156 <br />Page 6 of 11 <br /> <br />