Residents of the City of Pacific will soon pay more for their wastewater, stormwater and water utilities.
The City Council voted to increase all three utilities at its regular meeting Feb. 10.
City staff recommended the higher rates in stormwater service to help the City keep pace with the “projected inflation of cost of expenditures” and “planned capital projects.” The increase is the first for the utility since Jan. 2009.
The monthly service charge for stormwater service for a single-family residence or mobile home is to increase from $10.71 to $13.00 a month.
The rate for other developed properties will increase $10.71 to $16.00 a month.
The change in rates is expected to increase city stormwater revenue by $45,000.
City water rates also will see a bump, with prices increasing to help pay for treatment, maintenance and water utility operations.
The monthly in-city base charge for typical residential customers – with a 5/8ths water meter – is $12, with usage billed depending on the amount of water used.
The City will use a three-tier system, charging those using 1-7 CCF (one hundred cubic feet or approximately 748 gallons) $2 per CCF. Those using 7.1-14 will pay $3 per CCF and over 14.1 will cost consumers $4 per CCF.
The rate increases for commercial customers will depend on the size of meters.
Consumers using Pacific city water outside city limits will pay a little more, $13.20, with usage charged at $2.20, $3.30 and $4.40 depending on usage.
The rate increase, the first for the water utility since Jan. 2011, should increase the City’s water revenues by $15,000 a year.
For sewer and wastewater removal and treatment, Pacific will increase the rates to $59.79 per residence or mobile home. The fee covers $20 charged by Pacific for the transport of wastewater to King County for treatment. The rate also includes $39.79 paid to the county for treatment.
The base rate covers 700 cubic feet of water usage, with higher flows charged $8.54 per 100 cubic feet.
The increase is necessary, according to the City, to help pay for increased treatment charges by the county.
The increase is expected to increase wastewater revenue by an estimated $50,000 annually.
All rate increases go into effect March 1.
