The Aurora residents forced to pay higher rates because of a controversial water deal may have a way out.
Aurora’s proposed 2012 budget now includes a provision for infrastructure to deliver water to about 100 households on the southern edge of the city. That would dislodge them from Arapahoe County Water and Wastewater Authority’s service area.
“They are really paying through the nose there,” said Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier. “The good news is that help is on the way.”
An Aurora resident who uses 6,000 gallons of water a month has a water-and-sewer bill from ACWWA of about $176. Aurora Water’s average bill for the same amount of water and services is about $71, said spokeswoman Gabrielle Johnston.
Design details, a projected construction timetable and costs are still being determined, said Aurora assistant city attorney Christine McKenney. Money is tight, so there is a possibility the City Council won’t approve the project.
Gary Atkin, head of ACWWA, said he didn’t know what the financial impact to the agency would be.
Some Aurora residents are serviced by ACWWA because of a deal struck between the city and the agency 25 years ago. At the time, Aurora didn’t have the means to get those residents water.
As a result, they pay “extraterritorial” fees. And like all of ACWWA’s 25,000 customers, Aurora residents are paying an extra $26.50 a month to pay for a $153 million water project.
Aurora’s effort to give its ACWWA residents a way out of the district follows a recent Denver Post investigation that found significant problems with the project, including that ACWWA paid the going market rate for municipal water but has received only agricultural rights. A change-of-use court case is expected to take several years.
Karen E. Crummy: 303-954-1594 or kcrummy@denverpost.com
