LV water district seeking rate hike

Dan Kulin

Thursday, June 12, 2003 | 11:38 a.m.

Water rate hikes and conservation measures would go into effect later this summer under a proposal to be heard by the Clark County Commission next month.

Commissioners, who also act as the board of the Las Vegas Valley Water District, are expected to hold a public hearing July 15 and vote on the proposals that would raise water rates 10 percent to 39 percent.

The recommended rate increases, which would go into effect Sept. 1, would affect all customers, but larger water users would see heavier increases. A typical family's water bill would increase by $5.27 a month.

In addition to possible rate changes, the county commissioners are scheduled to vote on whether to declare a drought watch as of Aug. 1, which would trigger stricter water conservation measures.

"This is the worst drought in 1,400 years," water district Deputy General Manager Richard Wimmer said, noting that researchers have figured that out from tree ring studies. "It's highly likely that in a year or two we will be in a drought emergency."

He expected the area to reach a drought alert level by year's end.

Lake Mead is now at 61 percent capacity, its lowest level since Lake Powell was filled in the late '60s, Wimmer said.

The rate increases, if approved, would be expected to prompt conservation of water by 8 percent over today's levels and generate up to $60 million a year in additional revenue, Wimmer said.

The district provides water to about 1 million people in Las Vegas and unincorporated parts of the county.

All of the other water districts in Clark County are following suit on the conservation efforts, according to Wayne Robinson, manager of business services for the Henderson Utility Services Department.

Robinson said his city and the city of North Las Vegas also plan to consider rate increases that would take effect as early as September.

Las Vegas water rates have not been changed since 1996 and remain some of the lowest among urban areas in the West, while connection charges for new homes have gone up.

The water district has four tiers for water charges. The bottom tier, covering the first 5,000 gallons per month, is charged just 98 cents per 1,000 gallons of water.

The pricing goes up with each tier. At the top end, those using more than 40,000 gallons pay $2.27 per 1,000 gallons. The tier system is the heart of "price-sensitive efforts to encourage conservation," Wimmer has said.

Under the proposed increases, the rates for each tier would increase, and the tiers would be adjusted, lowering the amount of water included in each.

The first tier would remain at up to 5,000 gallons but would charge $1.05 per 1,000 gallons. At the top tier, users would be charged for over 20,000 gallons and it would cost $3.02 per 1,000 gallons.

"This is targeting outdoor water use," Wimmer said of the increased prices and moving the tiers. The indoor use for most families totals about 5,000 gallons a month, he said.

The region pays some of the highest fees for connection to the water system in the West, with valley residents paying from $3,800 to $4,800 for a new home connection. Those will not change.

The water conservation measures would include restrictions on how often lawns can be watered from September through April. The current times for summer watering, noon to 7 p.m., remain intact.

Included in the restrictions would be a limit on how often cars can be washed outside homes and a limit on misters in commercial areas.