Sweetwater Authority water rate increase approved
Authority Board maintains affordability and establishes rate stabilization for the future
The Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Governing Board approved new water rates and charges at a public hearing on August 20. Authority customers will see an increase in their water bill for the first time since 2015.
“The budget and rate study process supports the Authority’s commitment to transparency and delivers on its mission to provide safe and reliable water to its valued customers,” said Governing Board Chair Teresa “Terry” Thomas. “The creation and adoption of the Authority’s rate stabilization fund will minimize future rate increases for our customers.”
At its June 13 meeting, the Authority Governing Board adopted its budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, which included the creation of a rate stabilization fund, and accepted and filed a Five-year Water Rate Study. Over the next five years, the Authority will invest $72 million in infrastructure projects including, a new 36-inch transmission main pipeline to improve reliability, system wide flushing/pipe cleaning to protect water quality, and necessary work to the Sweetwater and Loveland dams to maintain safety.
A bill estimator and detailed rate charts are available at the Authority’s website at www.sweetwater.org. With the new rates in effect, most single- family residential customers will see an increase of $11.85 to $14.01 for two months of water service. Low water use customers will see an increase of $2.23 on their bill for two months of water service. The new rates will go into effect on January 1, 2019.