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Publication Date: Friday, April 09, 2004 Water rates to rise next year
Water rates to rise next year
(April 09, 2004) Zone 7 budget reflects maintenance of water system
A family of four can probably expect to pay $1.12 more a month for water, starting in 2005.
The Zone 7 Water Agency board approved a $111 million budget for 2004-05 last week, showing operating funds growing by about 3 percent and capital budgets by about 18.2 percent.
The expanded capital budget reflects the expense of funding a water system facilities replacement, and improvements and expansion to maintain existing service levels. Portions of the operating budget that pay for outside consultants and maintenance support were reduced by $1.1 million.
"The budget reflects the need to maintain our water system's current reliability and provide for the future," said Zone 7 General Manager Dale Myers. "We don't want future Tri-Valley generations stuck with a much bigger bill in 20 years."
The budget includes a proposed 4.8 percent water rate increase, which will begin in 2005. Water rates fund operating and capital expenses associated with maintaining and enhancing existing water systems only.
The Zone 7 board must approve the proposed rate increase separately in the fall. Zone 7 also receives revenues from property taxes and drainage and connection fees paid by new customers.
Some capital projects to be funded in 2004-05 are:
¥ $18 million for well head demineralization to remove minerals from groundwater supplies and to improve delivered water quality
¥ $400,000 for water monitoring wells and gage replacement to enhance water quality monitoring capacity
¥ $500,000 for water quality improvements
¥ $3.7 million for Altamont Water Treatment Plant pipeline design
¥ $3.5 million for new wells
¥ $1.3 million for Chain of Lakes facilities and management plan
Zone 7 also reports that it is developing an asset management plan to maintain facilities to meet the Tri-Valley's needs in a cost-efficient manner. The plan, which should be completed in 2005, will be a guide for timely maintenance, replacement and upgrading of the infrastructure for the water supply, treatment and flood control protection.
-Dolores Fox Ciardelli
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