Water rates in Arvada have historically increased almost every year, and 2015 will be no different if City Council approves at the Oct. 20 council meeting.
This means the average residential customer will see rates increase 2 percent, or $8.52, per year for city water said Jim Sullivan, the city’s director of utilities.
As of Jan. 1, sewer rates would also go up 3 percent, or $7.80 a year, with the average single-family customer expected to pay $284 annually, the second highest rate in the region.
Water and sewer rates also increased in 2014, although at a higher percentage, Sullivan said. The city reviews utility rates on an annual basis.
“We have to pass any rate increases we get charged for along to our residents,” explained District 3 Councilman John Marriot. “Those parts of the city budget are what’s called enterprise funds, and we don’t generate any revenue from them and essentially act as a nonprofit.”
Stormwater fees are also on the docket for an increase for the first time since 2009, with a yearly increase of $1.20.
Arvada is at the lower end of its neighbors when it comes to stormwater fees, with residential customers paying roughly $58 per year. Lakewood is the lowest at $24 annually and Fort Collins tops out at $171.
For city water service, increases in construction and vendor costs are a major factor this year, as well as higher raw water costs.
Much of the need for sewer-rate increases is tied to required improvements to the regional wastewater treatment plant along with tightening federal standards for clean water, Sullivan said.
Arvada is a member of the Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District, which serves about 1.7 million people in the Denver metro area.
The stormwater increase is being sought because of increased vendor costs, staff salaries, city services and increased infrastructure needs.
“I think for what we charge, we’re very efficient, and compared to other areas, you’re getting your money’s worth,” Sullivan said.
The stormwater fees help pay for projects like the Garrison Street Bridge and Ralston Central Park upgrades,
Some of the money and rate increases could help pay for flood mitigation along a 2-mile stretch of Leyden Creek from Simms Avenue and 72nd Street to Indiana Boulevard and 78th Avenue.
“That area has never really had much flood control, and we’re looking at federal and state funding and working with the Army Corps of Engineers to try to come together for a solution on that but there’s still a lot of work to do,” Sullivan said.
Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729, abriggs@denverpost.com or twitter.com/abriggs
