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Water and Sewer Rate Studies

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    WATER SERVICE RATES

     In January of 2016 City Council approved a series of water service rate increases designed to generate a 5.5% annual increase in revenues, along with a low income discount, that have been implemented over the last five years. The rate increases included a water conservation surcharge of $0.49 per unit that was in effect for the first year of the increases only.

    The rates and discount went into effect in February of 2016. The most recent and last increase took place on January 1, 2020.

    Reasons for the Increases

    The rates were recommended as part of a water rate study completed by the independent consulting firm of Bartle Wells Associates and were deemed necessary to address a number of issues impacting the Water fund, including the need to:

    • convert the current multiple consumption rate structure into a single consumption rate to comply with state laws and regulations;
    • adjust the fixed (service) and variable (consumption) rate structure to more accurately recover actual costs incurred and mitigate the impact of fluctuations in future water consumption;
    • recover lost revenue as a result of state mandated water conservation;
    • recover the costs of complying with the state's mandated chromium 6 requirements; and
    • replace the previous age based discount due to legal counsel with an income based discount to assist low and fixed-income water customers.

    The 2015 Water Rate Study is found here.

    SEWER SERVICE RATES

     In May of 2010 City Council approved a series of sewer service rates which resulted in a cumulative rate increase of 82% over five years. The last rate sewer rate increase was in March of 2014.

    Reasons for the Increases

    In 2008 the State of California issued a new operating permit for the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant requiring nitrate reduction and filtration (tertiary treatment). These advanced treatment mandates required major improvements to the Easterly Plant budgeted at $150 million, which was financed by a low interest State Revolving Fund loan. In order to secure the loan the City was required to increase sewer rates to both qualify for the financing and to provide the upfront costs of designing the plant improvements. The increased annual operations and maintenance expenses resulting from the project include the following:

    • repayment of the State Revolving Fund loan;
    • a utility users tax applied to the City’s general fund; and
    • additional staffing and plant operations expenses to meet the state mandates.

    The rates were recommended as part of a sewer rate study completed by the independent consulting firm of Bartle Wells Associates and were deemed necessary to meet the requirements of the 2008 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

    The 2010 Sewer Rate Study is found here.

    For any inquiries regarding the approved rates you may call (707) 469-6400 or you can email us at utilitiesdept@cityofvacaville.com. You can also call (707) 449-5128 to get help in calculating or understanding your bill.