The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority has proposed a 10 percent rate increase for water and sewer services in the next fiscal year, the first request for a double digit rate boost since 1997.
The agency’s board of directors last week approved a fiscal 2010 operating budget of $393.6 million — a $30.4 million increase, or 8.4 percent, over the previous year.
“It is imperative that we deliver these critical services in a responsible manner that improves the environment and enhances the quality of life for the community,” said board Chairman William M. Walker. “And that comes with a cost.”
With that increase, and raises in two fees, the total monthly charge for service would increase from $49.98 to $55.52 for the average customer, according to the agency.
The board plans to host a public hearing on the proposition in the spring. Should the board adopt the rate in September, it would go into effect in October.
WASA spokeswoman Pamela Mooring said historically the rate increase the board adopts ends up being lower than the proposed increase. The rate for fiscal 2009 rose 7.5 percent, down from a proposed 8.5 percent. By comparison, the rate jumped 2.5 percent in fiscal 2004 and 5.5 percent in fiscal 2006, Mooring said.
The cost of repairing and upgrading the city’s aging water, sewer and wastewater treatment systems, as well as increasing costs for utilities and chemicals are driving the proposed increase, WASA says. The agency has approved a 10-year, $3.2 billion capital improvement program to upgrade the systems and to meet federal water pollution control regulations.
An eight-inch water main on L Street between 16th and 17th streets Northwest broke Monday morning, causing massive gridlock during the morning rush hour.
“The District of Columbia is like other major cities with a significant amount of buried water and sewer infrastructure,” said General Manager Jerry N. Johnson. “Parts of these systems are more than a hundred years old and near the end of their useful life.”
Two items that comprise half of the capital improvement budget are the Blue Plains Total Nitrogen Project, a federally mandated program to protect the Chesapeake Bay, and the District’s plan to combine sewer overflow control.
WASA wants to separate the cost of the sewer-overflow control plan from its water and sewer charges and add it as a separate line on customers’ bills. It also is asking to raise that cost from $1.24 per home to $2.20.
WASA also wants to increase its “PILOT” fee from 52 cents for every 748 gallons to 57 cents.
