Wasilla water rates rise again

WASILLA — City residents will see an increase in their water bills beginning this month as Wasilla enters the fourth year of a five-year plan to boost the city’s water rates.

From July 2009 to July 2012, the annual water and sewer utility rates for city residents increased by $1.65 per 1,000 gallons and the minimum charge increased from $24.12 in 2009 to $42.30 in 2012.

The final increase of the five-year cycle goes into effect July 1, 2013, when the rate will be $9.12 per 1,000 gallons with a $45.57 minimum.

The ordinance to raise utility rates was approved by Wasilla City Council on July 27, 2009, as a measure to counteract financial losses in the city’s services for water and sewer utilities. According to the original ordinance, the move generated about $705,000 in metered and non-metered water sales in fiscal year 2009.

The increase was set to offset losses, depreciation and capital improvements expected to be about $645,000 annually to break even.

While the rates as outlined reflect minimum usage, a summary of the ordinance explains the overall rate by the end of five years is expected to double.

Other service charges were raised in 2009 and remain the same. Those include $90 per hour for a service calls during business hours and a $45 charge for delivering a delinquency or shut-off notice.

For more information, contact the city’s Public Works Department at 373-9010.