| The MSD Board has
decided to evaluate and approve a one-time rate adjustment for the months of August and
September.
This Board initiative was taken in light of the
impact of the current drought on water usage and wastewater bills. The worst drought in
decades has resulted in some very extreme water usage.
Part of MSD’s sewer bill is calculated on
water usage (volume). Historically, a monthly 15 percent discount has been used to account
for water usage, such as lawn and garden water, that does not flow into the sewer system
for treatment (compared to industry and commercial rates for volume, residential customers
pay 15 percent less).
This year’s drought has been long and
severe. It is the Board’s consensus that the current 15 percent discount does not
address these extreme conditions and the consequent much higher water usage.
The Board has directed its Executive Director,
Gordon Garner and legal counsel to explore options for adjusting sewer usage rates and
will act based on their recommendations. More detailed information will be available at
the next MSD Board meeting (October 11). It is likely that MSD will have to conduct a
formal rate hearing in order to comply with legal requirements for approving the discount.
If you have additional questions regarding this
information, please contact:
MSD Executive Director Gordon Garner 540-6346 or
MSD Emergency Response Director Bud Schardein 540-6319
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