DENVER—The Denver Water Board has approved a rate structure that would raise bills for average Denver residential customers by $13.32 a year beginning Jan. 1, while suburban customers would see a $21 increase.
The current average yearly bill is about $280 for a Denver resident and $477 for a suburban customer, which means typical Denver Water customers would see bills rise roughly 4.5 percent next year under the rate structure approved Wednesday.
The board was trying to charge rates that would cover rising costs while encouraging water conservation by varying rates according to how much water is used.
The water department needed to raise $9.7 million to help maintain, improve and expand its system. Upcoming projects include treatment plant enhancements, upgrades to aging infrastructure, a long-term water supply project, and more conservation education and incentive programs, Denver Water said.
———
On the Net:
———
Information from: The Denver Post,
