Rate increase to fund needed improvements to water, sewer
UPDATE: A town hall forum on utility and trash rate increases will be held July 9 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center, where the public can learn more about the rate increases and ask any questions they may have about how this will impact their bill.
UPDATE: A town hall forum on the utility and trash rate increases will be held Tuesday, July 9 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Civic Center, where the public can learn more about the rate increases and ask any questions they may have about how this will impact their bill.
Did you know debris and discarded items in the wastewater system regularly cause the equipment that pumps the raw sewage to the Wetlands and Water Reclamation Facility to become clogged? Those pumps must then be cleaned out manually by staff, who are exposed to the raw sewage to complete the task. Did you know a water leak can often go undetected for up to two months before a homeowner will see the effect on their bill? Do you suffer with low water pressure where you live?
Among the Public Utilities projects being proposed in the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan, which will be completed over the next five years, is a wastewater influent grinder replacement that will prevent the pumps from becoming clogged; automated water meters that allow earlier detection of leaks; and a northeast booster pump to increase water pressure in that area. These are just three of a variety of projects that will guarantee the continued water and sewer services our residents expect.
In preparation for these, and other, projects, the City of El Dorado had a water rate study completed. This helped determine where rates should be to fund the various projects over the next five years, including the 2024 increase approved by the City Commission at their first June meeting. For the average El Dorado home (based on water use of 5,600 gallons a month), the increase will be 38 cents a month for water and 69 cents a month for sewer, bringing the total increase to just over $1 a month beginning in July 2024. This will give you an idea of where your rates will be when you compare your monthly water usage to the 5,600 average.
In addition to this year’s increase, there are also proposed rate increases which will be presented to the El Dorado City Commission in future years. For the average household use, those monthly increases are proposed to only be: $1.07 in 2024; $1.59 in 2025; $1.69 in 2026; $1.98 in 2027; and 97 cents in 2028.
In addition to water and sewer, the City Commission also recently approved a trash rate increase to help fund new equipment and the continued level of service currently provided. Beginning in July 2024, trash will increase $1 a month; with proposed increases of 50 cents in 2025; no change in 2026; 50 cents in 2027; and no change in 2028.
The proposed increases will only be brought to the Commission if needed.