City examines water, sewer rate increase

The city of Whitefish is looking to increase sewer and wastewater rates.

The standard residential service for water is expected to increase by .74 percent or about 30 cents per month, from $40.78 to $41.08.

The standard residential wastewater rate is expected to increase by 12.9 percent or about $5 per month, from $39.57 to $44.66.

The proposed increases come after the city in 2015 completed a comprehensive water and wastewater rate study. Based on recommendations of the study, the city is proposing to increase the water and sewer utility rates because it says the increases are necessary to cover the cost of service, and provide for necessary capital improvement projects.

Public Works Director Craig Workman said his department is recommending Council consider increasing water and wastewater rates based on the study.

“To address cost of service inequities, support the funding of target reserve levels, and achieve overall revenue adequacy for the Water Utility, rate adjustments for the period of 2017 through 2021 were project,” Workman said in a memo to Council. “For the Wastewater utility, rate adjustments for the period of 2017 through 2026 were projected.”

City Council will hold a public hearing on the rate increase on Tuesday, Sept. 5 during its regular meeting beginning at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall. If approved, the new rates would be effective Oct. 1.

Monthly irrigation water costs for customers with landscape/irrigation meter usage of 10,000 gallons per month could see an increase of 4.9 percent or about $2 per month, which would increase the bill from $40.80 to $42.80.

The city last fall approved a rate increase for water, sewer and irrigation rates in what is expected to be a multi-year rate increase. The rate study recommended increasing water rates by 3.6 percent over the next five years, while wastewater rates could increase by as much as 95 percent over the next 10 years.

However, the city has said that any increases will be considered year-by-year in the future.

Another objective of the rate study was to help prepare the city for new regulatory standards expected to be implemented by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. The city’s existing wastewater treatment plant is not expected to meet the new standards. A new wastewater treatment plant is estimated to cost $15 million to $20 million and expected to be commissioned in 2021.

The study suggested by making adjustments to the sewer rates, it will prepare the city for debt associated with constructing a new treatment plant.

The increase in wastewater rates does vary depending on which sewer service class a home is located in. Those that live in one of the five pressure zones for water throughout the city could also see a greater increase in their water bill. For more information visit the city’s website at www.cityofwhitefish.org or call 863-2462.