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259 Member Misra asked about the chart showing water usage per year. It looks like <br />260 2012 was an anomaly. But otherwise from 2008-2009, it looks like a plateau has <br />261 been hit. <br />262 <br />263 Mr. Freihammer noted that the chart calculates averages. There is also a correlation <br />264 between precipitation and water usage, particularly in the summer. <br />265 <br />266 Mr. Culver noted the trend is not just Roseville. St. Paul does not have that <br />267 significant of a base fee, so their rates are higher. Their revenue, then, is much <br />268 more reliant on usage. That is the dilemma of some of Cities. Pressure is being <br />269 applied by various agencies to push conservation, but that is a good source of <br />270 revenue for them. <br />271 <br />272 Mr. Freihammer also presented information on Roseville's water main system as <br />273 well as on water main breaks. <br />274 <br />275 Mr. Culver noted that in 2014, there were quite a few water main breaks, as the <br />276 frost line was so deep. The breaks typically happen in the early spring, as the <br />277 ground starts moving. Currently, 6 to 7 miles per year of sewer mains are being <br />278 lined, so in 10 to 12 years, virtually all of the sewer mains will be like new. The <br />279 hope is that someday soon that same new technology will be applied to water lines. <br />280 Currently, there are approximately 30 water main breaks a year. On average, those <br />281 cost $5,000 to $10,000. To replace a water main proactively is very expensive, and <br />282 so it does not make a lot of sense to replace the pipe until there are issues with it. <br />283 <br />284 Member Kruse asked i�City owns 100% of the water infrastructure once it <br />285 enters the City. <br />286 WL <br />287 Mr. Culver explained there is a small section of pipe that feeds the booster station <br />288 that is owned by St. Paul. The City of St. Paul also owns the piping from its <br />289 treatment facility to that reservoir. But otherwise, it is all owned by Roseville. <br />290 <br />291 Member Joyce asked about fire hydrants. <br />292 <br />293 Mr. Freihammer explained that every time a road project is done, all the hydrant <br />294 valves are replaced. <br />295 <br />296 Mr. Culver asked for Commission feedback and discussion on whether to adjust <br />297 utility rates. <br />298 <br />299 Chair Cihacek stated for the benefit of the new Commissioners that the PWET's <br />300 prior recommendation was to maintain the current rate structure. He summarized <br />301 that there is abase rate, which covers operation and maintenance of the system, and <br />302 a consumption rate at different tier levels. There has been discussion about raising <br />303 all rates or raising one of the rates. Different members have expressed different <br />304 opinions. <br />Page 7 of 9 <br />