By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
The long and winding road toward a user rate formula for Whitewater’s wastewater treatment plant and the sanitary sewer utility has come to a close.
After extensive deliberation throughout 2015, the Common Council on Jan. 19 adopted a new user rate structure and a connection fee schedule that will result in an additional $12.74 per month for the average municipal user.
A sizable increase was expected, in part because of the scope of upcoming upgrades to the treatment plant. The city is taking out a low-interest loan through the Wisconsin Clean Water Fund to help pay for the cost of upgrading the treatment plant, which was built in 1982 and had a 20-year life expectancy.
Tim Reel, Whitewater’s wastewater treatment superintendent, said proceeds in user rates “will increase the annual operating revenue for the wastewater utility, allowing for necessary loan payments over the 20-year loan term.”
The city enlisted the services of an outside consultant, Donohue and Associates, to assemble the new rate structure and connection fee schedule.
A flat monthly volume charge of $10.65 will be assessed on all users, reflecting a $4.08 increase from the previous monthly volume charge of $6.57.
Additionally, revised meter rates have been set, including $9 for meters that are 5/8 inches and 3/4 inches; $15 for 1-inch meters; $33 for 1.5-inch meters; $58 for 2-inch meters; $130 for 3-inch meters; $230 for 4-inch meters; $518 for 6-inch meters; and $920 for 8-inch meters.
Although the council approved the rate increases Jan. 19, the decision has been made retroactively to reflect the utility’s billing cycle. The new rates kicked in for the Dec. 28 billing period.
