HomeMy WebLinkAbout02082021 City Council Work Session Packet - Water sewer Rate StudySeward City Council
Work Session Packet
Topic: Discuss the Water/Sewer Rate Study
Virtual Meeting
February 8, 2021
City Council Chambers Beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Instructions For
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT
DURING CITY COUNCIL Virtual WORK SESSIONS
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0
February 8, 2021
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
W151 ; AND SEWER
RATE STUDY
DRAFT Results
GovRates, Inc.
_Cp Utility, Financial, Rate, and Management
Consultants for Governments
PUBLIC WORKS
AND FINANCE
DEPARTMENTS
www.govrates.com
(�Why We Are T
City's Last Formal Water and Sewer Rate Study Was
Completed in 1993, or Over 27 Years Ago
Evaluated Revenue Sufficiency and Existing Rate
Structures
Developed a Multi -Year Plan to Fund Replacements of
Aging Utility Infrastructure as Well as Other Revenue
Requirements and to Modernize Water and Sewer
Rate Structures
�- Utility Overview
City's Water and Sewer Utilities Provide Essential
Service on Continuous Basis
Public Health and Safety— Primary Objective
Highly -Regulated (Alaska Department of Environmental
Conservation / EPA)
Permits Issued By Regulatory Agencies Require
Satisfactory Operating Performance
— Fines or Consent Orders for Non -Compliance or If Infrastructure
Failures Cause Pollution
Enterprise Funds: Operations Primarily Funded
Through Monthly User Rates
Capital -Intensive "Businesses" of City
Major Cost Drivers
Affecting Y
UtilitY S stems
Approximately $7.7 Million in Critical Water and Sewer Capital Needs
to Be Funded By Utility Recognized Through Fiscal Year 2029
Primarily Replacements of Assets Reaching the End of Their Service Lives
— Many Assets Over 30 Years Old
Utility Infrastructure Often "Out of Sight, Out of Mind"
Renewal and Replacement Needs Will Not Go Away, But Will Be More
Expensive to Address in The Future
Pictures Showing Interior of 200K Gallon Lowell Canyon Water Storage Tank That Must Be Replaced:
1
Multi -Year Capital Improvement Program
Water System Capital Needs
Distribution Piping Upgrades $
1,200,000
29.7%
Replace Lowell Canyon 200K Gallon Tank with a New400K Gallon Tank
875,000
21.7%
Water Line Replacements
400,000
9.9%
Vehicles and Equipment
370,000
9.2%
New Production Well #8
285,000
7.1%
HypochlorideGenerator -SMIC Pump House
250,000
6.2%
Abandon Wells at Fort Raymond
250,000
6.2%
Gateway Tank Roof - 50% Funded By City
150,000
3.7%
New Automatic Read Meters
150,000
3.7%
Refurbish #4 Production Well
85,000
2.1%
Double Wall Fuel Tanks -SMIC Water Tank
25,000
0.6%
Total Water System Multi -Year Capital Program $
4,040,000
100.0%
Sewer System Capital Needs
Wastewater Lagoon Sludge Removal (Every 10 Years)
$ 2,000,000
54.1%
Vehicles and Equipment
330,000
8.9%
Collection System Infrastructure
325,000
8.8%
SMIC Lower Lift Station
300,000
8.1%
Manhole Refurbishment
240,000
6.5%
SMIC Piping for Bypass
150,000
4.1%
New Automatic Read Meters
150,000
4.1%
Other Projects
203,000
5.5%
Total Sewer System Multi -Year Capital Program
$ 3,698,000
100.0%
Picture of Gateway Tank Roof
That Needs to Be Replaced
➢ Above Amounts Are Utility's Responsibility —Additional Costs Assumed to Be
Funded Through Grant Assistance
� ry
Major Cost Drivers
Affecting Utility System Cont.
Operating Expenses Projected to Continue Increasing
Historical Consumer Price Index Increases About 3% Per
Year
Due to Regulatory Environment and Commodity Cost
Increases (Electricity, Chemicals, Fuel, etc.), Utility Costs
Typically Increase at Higher Rate Than General Inflation
Increases in Labor Costs and Benefits
Permanent Increases in Costs Must Ultimately Be Passed
Throuuh to Customers Throuuh User Rates
C
oF^w
Revenue Requirements
Projected Through Fiscal Year 2029
Include the Following:
Ongoing — Allows Assets to Meet Useful Service Lives
Major — Extends Useful Service Lives of Assets
��
Projected Need for Revenue Adjustments
Summary of Proposed Water and Sewer
User Rate Revenue Adiustments [*1
Combined
- 1. -
- •
Adjustment
2021
January 1, 2021
10.0%
4.0%
6.9%
2022
January 1, 2022
10.0%
4.0%
7.1%
2023
January 1, 2023
10.0%
4.0%
7.2%
2024
January 1, 2024
10.0%
4.0%
7.3%
2025
January 1, 2025
10.0%
4.0%
7.4%
[*] Percentages include CPI adjustments already allowed per existing
rate
tariffs.
Rate Design
Determines How
to Generate
Additional
Revenue Needed
➢ Best Financial Management Practices: Smaller, Incremental
Increases Over Time Help to Avoid Future "Rate Shock" and
Higher "Catch Up" Rate Increases
8
Projected Financial Position — Water System
Y
$2,500 i Summarized Revenue Requirements Analysis - Water System
$1,000
$500
SO
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Dq�oatatol\'rcluag Gpital-.Wdidoaal GpitalFinaivg IXhar irm4ers
� CapaalFmtled from hates �\4Ik tSenire
Oper,tlag Fspmses �Frj-M anm roan Frmoxa Rates
_ _ _ I'rojMM Rn'mua Lvax Evs,v" g Rates
A0-In Debt Service Coverage - Net Revenues Onh,
600a/o
500%
400%
300%
z00%
100%
0%
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
- Calculated Debt Sn k, Cge
-Target Debt Service Coverage (200%)
Mioimum Debt Service Coverage (100%)
Unrestricted Ending Cash Balances
$2 500
a S2,000
$1,500
S1,0o0
0
e
$500
CM
2019 2020 2021 2022 2021 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
4pajor Raaes aad Repheemeat Fuad
Opera g,a ,1\1aiatmauce FLas(W'otEiog Capit,D
�Oae YearD -s Cssh ou Dana
— — srx vfoums na.s case ov xaaa
Financial Targets Recognized:
Unrestricted Cash: Six Months to One
Year Days Cash on Hand
All -In Debt Service Coverage: Minimum
200% Target
(100% Required Per Existing Loan
Agreements)
S3,000
$2,500
9 $2,000
a
v 51,500
$1,000
5
$S00
Projected Financial Position
v
Summarized Revenue Requirements Analysis - Sewer System
i— IIR_',_lalwt_+_etlpg�
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Dgiosis to tVor gC'apital-Aadinau.I C'a Pital Fuadwg OtherrranI—
Capital Funded from Rates \�I>ebt Ser,ice
aaaaaaa� Operanu� �P®ses � ProieRetl Reamuerutler Prapoatl Rates
— — — rroiatm Rer®ae; caarr F.using Rath
All -In Debt Service Coverage - Net Revenues Only
800% -
700 %
600h/o
500%
400%
300%
200%
100% — — — — — —
0 %
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
—Calculated Debt Service Coverage —Target Debt Service Coverage (200%)
— —Required Debt Service Coverage (100%)
— Sewer System
Unrestricted Ending Cash Balances
Major Revera�l and Rephremeat FLoa
� Opent Ng and \[siotenaote FLaO (\Vodclvg CapYab
i Oee V ear Dars Cash ee Haed
— —Sa NouM.s Dates Cash ou Haud
Financial Targets Recognized:
Unrestricted Cash: Six Months to One
Year Days Cash on Hand
r All -In Debt Service Coverage: Minimum
200% Target
(100% Required Per Existing Loan
Agreements)
V
Financial Risks of
Not Adjusting Rates at This Time
Inability to Fund All Revenue Requirements, Fund Capital Program, and Meet Financial
Targets
User Rates Will Be Even Higher in the Future
Capital Needs for Systems Will Not Go Away, But Will Be More Expensive to Address in the Future;
Inflation and Costs of Construction Continue to Affect System Costs
Water System
Unrestricted Ending Cash Balances with \o Rate Adjustments
5 '000
52.000
e SI.000 — -- —— -- — — ——
--
a
2019 2020 2021 202E 20Zi
3 (St,000)
< (52.000)
(53,000)
(54,000) J
vl.lor <n..n emen o
� erw'o�xmgcapa.9
ARA. Debt Seniee Coverage -Net Revenues Only - No Rate Adjustments
3 0%
250%
1,50%
— — — — — — — — — — — — —
.�% 2019 m20 2021 m22 20M WN 20i. 2A26 20. 2029
Sewer System
Unrestricted Ending Cash Balances with No Rate Adjustments
$2,500
52,000
� S1,500
a 51,000
e SO
G 20 9 2020 m21 W22 202 2024 20 . 9
(95m)
(51,000)
At In Debt Service Coverage- Net Revenues Only - No Rate Adjustments
NO %
'200%
.0%
500%
J00%
Mo %
200%
100% — — — — — — — —
0% —
-150h �Calcolated Debt Serviee Covn'age �iarget Debt Snsiee Coirerage (200%)
—01calatei Debt Service.Coverage —Tar get Debt Service Cmerage(200%) -- Reauir M Debt Sersire C—me(100%)
-- Mink a Debt Sndee Coverage(100%) `
6 '*�� Proposed Monthly User Rates
Eligible to Be Unmetered:
■ Single Family Residential Customers
■ Duplexes, Apartments, Bed and Breakfasts, and Townhouses
with No More Than Two (2) Living Units
All Customers Not in the Above Classifications Must Be Metered
Unmetered Customers: Monthly Charge Per Month Per
Living Unit
Metered Customers: Base Charge Based on Meter Size and
Constant Volumetric Charge Per 1,000 Gallons for All Usage
➢ Lower Volumetric Rate for Customers (Except Ship Water)
That Use More Than 1 Million Gallons in a Given Month
Ship Water: Rates Raised Uniformly / Across -the -Board
12
Proposed Implementation Plan
Make Rate Structure Changes in 2021, Then Across -the -Board
Increases in 2022 to 2025
Recommend Monitoring Revenue Collections and Performing
Another Rate Review Once City Has One Year or More of Data
Under Updated Rates
— Would Determine If Further Adjustments to Rate Structures Make
Sense
Recommend Implementation of Cost Savings Program to
Encourage Unmetered Customers Required to Be Metered to
Quickly Switch Over to Metered Service
City Would Provide Meters and Meter Readers, and Customers
Would Be Reimbursed for Installation Costs
The Longer Customers Wait, the Lower the Reimbursement for
Meter Installation Costs C:
pw
}.;�"N'��s{ih+2
13
oF^w
Proposed Monthl
Water User Rates
Proposed Schedule of Monthly Water User Rates - Base Infrastructure Charges
Fiscal Year
Ending December
Proposed
Effective
Proposed
Effective
Proposed
Effective
Proposed
Effective
Proposed
Effective
As Soon
January 15,
January 15,
January 15,
January 15,
UNMETERED SERVICE: [*]
Monthly Charge Per Living Unit
$48.96
$53.86
$59.25
$65.17
$71.69
Difference
0.00
4.90
5.39
5.92
6.52
METERED SERVICE:
Base Infrastructure Charge:
1" WaterMeteror Smaller
$40.80
$44.88
$49.38
$54.31
$59.74
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
81.60
89.77
98.75
108.62
119.48
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
130.56
143.63
158.00
173.79
191.17
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
244.80
269.30
296.25
325.85
358.45
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
408.00
448.83
493.75
543.08
597.42
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
816.00
897.67
987.50
1,086.17
19194.83
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
19305.60
19436.27
19580.00
19737.87
19911.73
Greater Than8" Up to 10" Water Meter
19876.80
29064.63
29271.25
2,498.18
29748.12
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
39508.80
39859.97
49246.25
49670.52
59137.78
Ship Water:
During Regular Business Hours
$111.69
$122.86
$135.15
$148.66
$163.53
Outside Re gular Bus ine s s Hours
223.38
254.73
270.29
297.31
327.05
[*] Unmetered customers required to he metered are proposed
to be charged the following rates
per ERU until switched
over to metered service:
Unmetered per ERU
$53.86
$59.24
$65.17
$71.68
$78.85
-CR
14
Proposed Monthly Water User Rates (cont.)
Proposed Schedule of Monthly Water User Rates — Volumetric Charges
Fiscal Year Ending December
Proposed Proposed Proposed Proposed Proposed
-Irw Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective
As Soon January 15, January 15, January 15, January 15,
Description I22 2023 2024I
METERED SERVICE:
Charge for Consumption Per 1,000 Gallons - Usage Less Than 1 Million Gallons Per Month
All Usage Per 1,000 Gallons S5.85 S6.43 S7.08 S7.79 S8.56
Charge for Consumption Per 1,000 Gallons - Usage of 1 Million Gallons Per Month or Higher
All Usage Per 1,000 Gallons S4.91 S5.39 S5.94 S6.53 S7.18
Ship Water
Ship Water Per 1,000 Gallons S10.40 S11.43 S12.58 S13.84 S15.22
15
Proposed Monthly Sewer Rates
p Y
Proposed Schedule of Monthly Sewer Rates
Fis cal Ye
ar Ending D. ce nihe
proposed
Effective
As Soon
proposed
Effective
January 15,
proposed
Effective
January 15,
proposed
Effective
January 15,
proposed
Effective
January 15,
D.
UNMETERED SERVICE: [*]
Monthly Charge Per Living Unit
$67.46
$70.16
$72.97
$75.89
$78.92
Difference
0.00
2.70
2.81
2.92
3.03
METERED SERVICE:
Base Infrastructure Charge:
1" Water Meter or Smaller
$56.22
$58.47
$60.81
$63.24
$65.77
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" WaterMeter
112.43
116.93
121.62
126.48
131.53
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" WaterMeter
179.89
187.09
194.59
202.37
210.45
Greate r Than 2" Up to 3" WaterMeter
337.30
350.80
364.85
379.45
394.60
Greater Than3" Up to 4" WaterMeter
562.17
584.67
608.08
632.42
657.67
Greate r Than 4" Up to 6" WaterMeter
1,124.33
19169.33
19216.17
19264.83
19315.33
Greate r Than 6" Up to 8" WaterMeter
19798.93
19870.93
19945.87
29023.73
29104.53
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
29585.97
29689.47
29797.18
2,909.12
39025.27
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" WaterMeter
49834.63
59028.13
59229.52
59438.78
59655.93
Charge for Consumption Per 1,000 Gallons
All Gallons
$6.77
$7.04
$7.32
$7.61
$7.92
[*] Unmetered customers required to be metered are proposed to be charged the
following rates per ERU until switched
over to metered service:
Unmete red per ERU
$70.16
$72.97
$75.89
$78.93
$82.09
-GR
16
Comparison of Monthly Charges
For Combined Water and Sewer Service - Monthly Usage of 6,000 Gallons
S180.00
Other Utilities Water Seward Water
Other Utilities Wastewater Seward Wastewater
S160.00
Rates effective October 2020
S140.00
S116.42 S116.42
S120.00
S100.00
S80.00
S60.00
S40.00
S20.00
S0.00
r�oca Q sec ro �p�Q S�ay`\a a�¢o a¢y 1 °a�aV ��
" `
leg
a
ec
°\a
�� vacs
G of
Rate Comparison Not a "Report Card" on
How Well Utility Is Performing
Some Reasons Why User Rates Differ Among Utilities
■ Size of Existing Customer Base / Available System Growth
■ Demographics (e.g., Customers Spread Out vs. Close Together, Types of
Customers Served)
■ Level of Capital Improvements to Meet Service Area Growth
■ Amount of Needed Renewals and Replacements / Remaining Service Life of
Assets
Differences in Bond Covenants
Source of Water Supply and Treatment Process Costs
Plant Capacity Utilization and Assistance in Funding of Such Capacity (e.g.,
Grants, System Development Fees)
Time of Last Rate Review
Amount of General Fund and Administrative Fee Transfers
Proposed Residential Monthly User Rates
Considered Affordable B Utility Industry Standards
Y Y Y
Environmental Protection Agency: Monthly Water and
Wastewater Bill Less Than 4.5% of Median Household
Income Considered Affordable
Monthly Water and Sewer Bill for Single Family Residential Customer $116.42
Median Monthly Household Income Per U.S. Census Bureau [*] 6,134
Percent of Total 1.90%
[*] $73,611 annual median household income for Seward / 12 months.
➢ Rates Projected to Remain Affordable Throughout Forecast
Period
➢ $116.42 / 6,000 gallons = 1.9¢ per Gallon for Water and Sewer
Service
19
�_ � Other Charges
Considerations for Determining Proposed Other
Charges:
Current Utility Costs to Provide Service
Comparison with Similar Charges of Other Alaska
Utilities
City Policies
To the Extent Charges Do Not Recover Cost of Providing
Services, Cost Difference Must Be Paid Through
Monthly User Rates
20
Infrastructure Charges
Proposed to Be Separate from Turn -On and Turn -Off Fees
➢ Charged Monthly to Inactive Accounts
City Has Built Utility Infrastructure to Provide Service and
Utility Continues to Incur Fixed Costs to Maintain "Ready -
to -Serve" Condition
Billing Inactive or "Vacant" Accounts Reduces Overall
Costs to Year -Round Customers and Helps Keep User Rates
Lower
Cr
21
Infrastructure Charges(cont.)g
WE
➢ Proposed Schedule of Monthly Infrastructure Charges
,..
,.
Water Infrastructure Charge
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$40.80
$44.88
$49.38
$54.31
$59.74
Unmetered Nonresidential PerERU
40.80
44.88
49.38
54.31
59.74
1" Water Meter or Smaller
40.80
44.88
49.38
54.31
59.74
Greater Thant" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
81.60
89.77
98.75
108.62
119.48
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
130.56
143.63
158.00
173.79
191.17
Greater Than 2" Up to3" Water Meter
244.80
269.30
296.25
325.85
358.45
Greater Than3" Up to 4" Water Meter
408.00
448.83
493.75
543.08
597.42
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
816.00
897.67
987.50
1,086.17
1,194.83
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
1,305.60
1,436.27
1,580.00
1,737.87
1,911.73
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
1,876.80
2,064.63
2,271.25
2,498.18
2,748.12
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
3,508.80
3,859.97
4,246.25
4,670.52
5,137.78
Sewer Infrastructure Charge
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$56.22
$58.47
$60.81
$63.24
$65.77
Unmetered Nonresidential PerERU
56.22
58.47
60.81
63.24
65.77
1" Water Meter or Smaller
56.22
58.47
60.81
63.24
65.77
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
112.43
116.93
121.62
126.48
131.53
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
179.89
187.09
194.59
202.37
210.45
Greater Than 2" Up to3" Water Meter
337.30
350.80
364.85
379.45
394.60
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
562.17
584.67
608.08
632.42
657.67
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
1,124.33
1,169.33
1,216.17
1,264.83
1,315.33
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
1,798.93
1,870.93
1,945.87
2,023.73
2,104.53
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
2,585.97
2,689.47
2,797.18
2,909.12
3025.27
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
4,834.63
5,028.13
5,229.52
5,438.78
5:655.93
Additional Proposed
Changes to Other Charges
Elimination of Cents on Fees Due to Historical Rounding
Removal of Fees Not Currently Charged or Services Not
Provided
"Right -Sizing" of Fees Based on Current Cost Estimates
Seasonal Locate Service Fees Adjusted to "Call 811" (Call
Before You Dig) Policy of No Charge for First Locate
Regardless of Season
Charge for Additional Locate on Same Property
23
Requested Council Action
Recommendation to Adopt Proposed User Rates for
Fiscal Years 2021 Through 2025
Help Ensure Full Cost Recovery and Address Capital
Needs
Rates Affordable and Competitive
➢ Recommendation to Adopt Proposed Special / Other /
Miscellaneous Charges
➢ Recommendation for Continued Automatic Rate
Indexing in Absence of Rate Study Recommendation
24
fi
i
.a
d
Requested Council Action (cont.)
Monitor Actual Vs. Projected Financial Results
Changes in Economic Conditions, Customer Usage
Trends, Regulatory Environment, Customer Responses
to Rate Adjustments, Etc.
Update Financial and Rate Plan as Needed, Possibly
After One Year Under Revised Rate Structure
25
City of Seward, Alaska
Tariff for Water Rates, Charges, and Fees
2021 to 2025
1. DEFINITIONS
Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU): A unit of measure used to express the amount of water
consumed by a typical full-time single family residence. All unmetered water customers shall
be assigned a minimum of one (1) ERU.
Living Unit: A unit that has — or has plumbing for — a kitchen sink, toilet, bathing unit (e.g.,
bathtub or shower), and either laundry units or access to common laundry units in the building.
All living units shall be considered one (1) ERU.
2. UNMETERED CUSTOMERS
Customers eligible to be unmetered include:
• Single-family residential customers; and
• Duplexes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, and townhouses with no more than two (2) living units.
All customers not in the above classifications must be metered. Hotels, motels, and similar
transient accommodations are considered commercial establishments and must be metered.
Residential and commercial customers that have a heat pump system using City water must be
metered. All new construction must be metered at the customer's cost. All new meter
installations must be inspected, approved, and documented by the City water department.
Customers required to be metered but are currently unmetered can take advantage of a cost
savings program offered by the City. When such customers contact the City finance department
to initiate the transition to metered service, the City will provide the meter and meter reader.
If these customers install the meters and meter readers provided by the City, pass City
inspection, and produce a valid receipt to the City finance department, they will be reimbursed
by the City as follows:
• Meter installations initiated through December 31, 2021: Up to $300 of the meter installation costs
within reasonable limits established by the Public Works Director or his/her designee.
Meter installations initiated from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022: Up to $200 of the meter
installation costs within reasonable limits established by the Public Works Director or his/her
designee.
Meter installations initiated from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023: Up to $150 of the meter
installation costs within reasonable limits established by the Public Works Director or his/her
designee.
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff Page 1 of 10
26
• Meter installations initiated from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024: Up to $100 of the meter
installation costs within reasonable limits established by the Public Works Director or his/her
designee.
The Public Works Director or his/her designee has the authority to determine the applicable
reimbursement given the terms and conditions of the cost savings program as well as a
customer's specific circumstances.
Prior to switching to metered service, unmetered customers required to be metered will be
charged per ERU in accordance with the ERU determination methodology in effect prior to
the adoption of this tariff and the rates per ERU in Exhibit 1. Customers required to be metered
that have not switched to metered service by December 31, 2024 shall be fined $500 per ERU
per year unless the utility manager determines that certain circumstances exist that necessitate
an extension.
The accounts may be paid by individual occupants or owners of multiple units. When the entire
water service to a multiplex or apartment building with two (2) living units is billed to one
account, the charge will be based on total number of living units in the building whether or not
occupied.
The multi -year schedule of rates for unmetered customers is in Exhibit 1.
All unmetered customers not required to be metered by the City may elect to install water
meters at their own expense, after which the customers will be charged metered rates. When
considering whether to incur the costs of a installing a water meter, customers are encouraged
to consider that a future water and sewer rate study may impact either or both unmetered and
metered rates.
3. METERED CUSTOMERS
Meters must include readouts at a location acceptable to the City to allow for accurate meter
readings. Remote readers are required. If a customer has multiple metered services, each
metered service will be computed as a separate bill.
The cost of initial installation of a meter in a new facility will be paid by the customer. The
cost of maintenance, repair and replacement of all meters will be at customer expense. The
customer will provide a meter, and the user will pay the cost of installation, where an existing
service is converted to meter and the commercial use/activities of the user have not changed.
If the meter is required due to changed usage, the customer will pay all costs, including the
cost of the meter. Customers are responsible for changing any batteries required for the meter
and meter reader to work properly. Failure to repair or replace a faulty meter or to address a
meter operating deficiency will result in the billing department estimating the meter reading.
If the customer fails to replace a faulty meter or address a meter operating deficiency within
90 days of being informed of the need to address the issue, the City may, at its expense, replace
the meter or address the operating deficiency and charge the customer as a work order, at
double the costs incurred by the City, to encourage customers to repair, replace, and maintain
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff Page 2 of 10
27
their own equipment. In all cases, the City will specify and/or approve the type of meter and
its installation.
If a customer is required by the City to switch from unmetered to metered service, the customer
may be eligible to receive a reimbursement from the City for the meter and installation costs.
The amount of the reimbursement is in accordance with the parameters established in the
"Unmetered Customers" section of this rate tariff.
The multi -year schedule of rates for metered customers is in Exhibit 1.
4. SPECIAL RATES. CHARGES. AND FEES
Special rates, charges, and fees include charges for service not included in the rates for
unmetered and metered customers covered in previous sections of this tariff and in Exhibit 1.
The special rates, charges, and fees are in Exhibit 2.
5. ANNUAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS
In the absence of a formal study recommendation or action by the city council, the water rates,
charges, and fees in Exhibits 1 and 2 shall be automatically adjusted — without a public hearing
— in accordance with the annual increase provisions contained in the exhibits. These automatic
increases for inflationary effects on the costs of operations shall be effective for all bills
rendered on or after January 1st of each year. The first increases under these provisions shall
become effective on January 1, 2026 unless an earlier effective date is specified in Exhibits 1
and 2.
6. CONTRACTUAL RATES
The City may negotiate or renegotiate a special service contract with a customer if there are
unique conditions or circumstances of providing service to the customer that warrant special
considerations. Such contracts will set or amend a rate which will ensure that the customer
pays its full share of the utility's fixed and variable operating and maintenance costs. All special
contracts and renegotiations of existing special contracts shall be approved by a resolution of
the City Council.
F,YHTRITC
Exhibit 1: Schedule of Monthly Water User Rates (Page 4 of 10)
Exhibit 2: Water System Special Rates, Charges, and Fees (Starts on Page 5 of 10)
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff Page 3 of 10
28
Exhibit 1
City of Seward, Alaska
Schedule of Monthly Water User Rates
Effective Effective
Effective
Effective
Effective
Annual Increase
Line
As Soon January 15,
January 15,
January 15,
January 15,
Reference
No.
Description
As Practical 2022
2023
2024
2025
After 2025
UNMETERED CUSTOMERS N
1
Monthly Charge Per Living Unit
$ 48.96 $ 53.86 $
59.25
$ 65.17
$ 71.69
[A]
METERED CUSTOMERS
Base Infrastructure Charge:
2
1" Water Meter or Smaller
$ 40.80 $ 44.88 $
49.38
$ 54.31
$ 59.74
[A]
3
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5"Water Meter
81.60 89.77
98.75
108.62
119.48
[A]
4
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
130.56 143.63
158.00
173.79
191.17
[A]
5
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
244.80 269.30
296.25
325.85
358.45
[A]
6
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
408.00 448.83
493.75
543.08
597.42
[A]
7
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
816.00 897.67
987.50
1,086.17
1,194.83
[A]
8
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
1,305.60 1,436.27
1,580.00
1,737.87
1,911.73
[A]
9
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
1,876.80 2,064.63
2,271.25
2,498.18
2,748.12
[A]
10
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
3,508.80 3,859.97
4,246.25
4,670.52
5,137.78
[A]
Charge for Consumption Per 1,000 Gallons - Usage Less Than 1 Million Gallons Per Month
11
All Gallons
$ 5.85 $ 6.43 $
7.08
$ 7.79
$ 8.56
[A]
Charge for Consumption Per 1,000 Gallons - Usage of 1 Million Gallons Per Month or Higher
12
All Gallons
$ 4.91 $ 5.39 $
5.94
$ 6.53
$ 7.18
[A]
[*]
Any unmetered customers that are required by the City to be metered based on the customer classifications shall be charged the
following monthly
rates per ERU
until switched over to metered service. The number of ERU's for such customers shall be determined
by the ERU determination
methodology in
effect prior to
the adoption of this tariff.
Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective
As Soon January 15, January 15, January 15, January 15,
As Practical 2022 2023 2024 2025
Rate Per ERU for Unmetered Customers Required to Be
Metered By the City But Not Yet Switched Over to
Metered Service $ 53.86 $ 59.24 $ 65.17 $ 71.68 $ 78.85
ANNUAL INCREASE REFERENCES:
[A] In the absence of a formal study recommendation or action by the city council, the rates and fees herein provided shall be automatically increased for
inflationary effects on the costs of operations - without a public hearing - effective for all bills rendered on or after January 15th of each year. The
percentage increase, if any, shall be the average of the five (5) previous published years' annual increases in the Urban Alaska Consumer Price Index,
all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted (the "CPI") (Series ID: CUURS49GSAO accessed via https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/srgate) as published
by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, if the previous five years' annual increases in the CPI were
1.4%, 3.0%, 0.5%, 0.4%, and 0.59/o, the average increase of 1.2% would be applied to the rates.
29
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff Page 4 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Water Svstem Special Rates, Charges, and Fees
Line
No. Description
1. Fire Hydrant Use Permit: From May 1 to August 31 a Fire Hydrant Tapping Fee:
Permit may be issued. Fire Hydrants will be turned on and off by PLUS daily fee:
Water Department Personnel. If the City determines that a meter and PLUS weekly fee:
a backflow preventer are required, these will also be installed by
Water Department personnel. This rate is set for contractors or other
temporary water users, but not for bulk water service to ships or
tanker trucks serving ships or industries, as set herein:
2. Water Service Inspection Fee (Performed by City):
3. Water Turn -On or Turn Off (per visit excluding new service and new
account name): No charge for the first turn -on for new service or
new account.
4. Seasonal Turn -On / Turn -Off: can apply to summer or winter; only
performed during regular business hours. If during non -business
hours, charge is $150 instead of $50.
First Turn -On and/or Turn -Off:
All Other Turn-Ons or Turn -Offs:
During Business Hours:
During Non -Business Hours:
Seasonal Turn -On:
Seasonal Turn -Off:
Annual
Effective Increase
As Soon As Practical Reference
$100 N/A
$50 plus metered usage N/A
$300 plus metered usage N/A
$150 N/A
No Charge
$50
$150
$50 for turn -on plus must
pay applicable infrastructure
charges for number of
months in which account is
inactive
$50 for turn-off plus must
pay applicable infrastructure
charges for number of
months in which account is
inactive
N/A
N/A
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff 30 Page 5 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Water Svstem Special Rates, Charges, and Fees
Line
No. Description
5. Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: help to recover the
City's fixed costs of providing service while customer's service is
inactive upon a seasonal turn-off; charged monthly:
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.)
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
1" Water Meter or Smaller
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
1" Water Meter or Smaller
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
Annual
Effective Increase
As Soon As Practical Reference
2021 Monthly Rates
$40.80
N/A
40.80
N/A
40.80
N/A
81.60
N/A
130.56
N/A
244.80
N/A
408.00
N/A
816.00
N/A
1,305.60
N/A
1,876.80
N/A
3,508.80
N/A
2022 Monthly Rates
$44.88
N/A
44.88
N/A
44.88
N/A
89.77
N/A
143.63
N/A
269.30
N/A
448.83
N/A
897.67
N/A
1,436.27
N/A
2,064.63
N/A
3,859.97
N/A
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff 31 Page 6 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Water Svstem Special Rates, Charges, and Fees
Line
No. Description
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.)
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.)
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
1" Water Meter or Smaller
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
1" Water Meter or Smaller
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
Annual
Effective Increase
As Soon As Practical Reference
2023 Monthly Rates
$49.38
N/A
49.38
N/A
49.38
N/A
98.75
N/A
158.00
N/A
296.25
N/A
493.75
N/A
987.50
N/A
1,580.00
N/A
2,271.25
N/A
4,246.25
N/A
2024 Monthly Rates
$54.31
N/A
54.31
N/A
54.31
N/A
108.62
N/A
173.79
N/A
325.85
N/A
543.08
N/A
1,086.17
N/A
1,737.87
N/A
2,498.18
N/A
4,670.52
N/A
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff 32 Page 7 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Water Svstem Special Rates, Charges, and Fees
Line Effective
No. Description As Soon As Practical
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.) 2025 Monthly Rates
6. Unauthorized Use of City Equipment (including fire hydrants, key
boxes, turn -on and/or turn-off):
7. Restoration of Water Service (including repair of damage by owner
or contractor to City facilities):
8. Locate Service:
9. Thaw Wire:
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$59.74
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
59.74
1" Water Meter or Smaller
59.74
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
119.48
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
191.17
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
358.45
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
597.42
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
1,194.83
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
1,911.73
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
2,748.12
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
5,137.78
First Locate:
Each Additional Locate on Property:
$1,000 plus cost of repair of
damage
Actual cost, including City
overhead, labor, materials,
and equipment
No Charge
$170
Large projects requiring several locates will be under a special
contract and may require an additional fee.
Locate between May 1 and October 31: No Charge
Locate between November 1 and April 30: $170
Annual
Increase
Reference
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
[A]
N/A
N/A
N/A
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff 33 Page 8 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Water Svstem Special Rates, Charges, and Fees
Annual
Line Effective Increase
No. Description As Soon As Practical Reference
10. Security Deposit:
Unmetered Customers Per Section 14.01.030 of City Code of Ordinances. Based on two (2)
months fixed charges or such other amount as may be established by
resolution.
Metered Customers Two (2) months fixed charges for Unmetered Customers multiplied
by afactor ofthree (3)
Weekly Fire Hydrant Usage Deposit: $300; customer is N/A
responsible for repairs to
damage
11. Contractor Work:
12. Ship Water (Water furnished to temporarily moored vessels):
Any contractor tapping into a city main, or otherwise working on a N/A
City water line, must be properly licensed to perform the work and
must also provide a $5,000.00 bond or equivalent cash guarantee
payable to the City.
Less than 1,000 gallons from Seward Boat Harbor facilities not
requiring city assistance or the use of fire hydrants: No Charge
All service not included above:
2021 Rates
Base Charge (during regular business hours): $111.69 [B]
Base Charge (outside regular business hours): 223.38 [B]
PLUS charge per 1,000 gallons for all water used: 10.40 [B]
Note: Customer will be responsible for actual charges related to all
work and materials required to provide water to vessel. The Point of
delivery for potable water supplied by the City shall be at the
customer side of the meter / backflow preventer, and the customer is
responsible for water quality from the delivery point to the vessel.
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff 34 Page 9 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Water Svstem Special Rates, Charges, and Fees
Annual
Line Effective Increase
No. Description As Soon As Practical Reference
13. Delinquent Account Charges Interest rate: 10% per annum N/A
Monthly late fee: $5 N/A
For customers receiving more than one service (e.g., electric, water, and sewer service), the delinquent account charges apply to the
combined bill and not to each service.
ANNUAL INCREASE REFERENCES:
N/A No annual increases.
[A] After 2025, infrastructure charges for inactive accounts shall be automatically adjusted on an annual basis by the same percentage increases, if any, as the
City's monthly water base infrastructure charges.
[B] After 2021, ship water base and usage charges shall be automatically adjusted on an annual basis by 10% for 2022 to 2025. After 2025, the ship water base
and usage charges shall be automatically adjusted by the same percentage increases as the City's commercial water base infrastructure charges.
City of Seward Water Rate Tariff 35 Page 10 of 10
City of Seward, Alaska
Tariff for Sewer Rates, Charges, and Fees
2021 to 2025
1. DEFINITIONS
Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU): A unit of measure used to express the amount of sewer
flow by a typical full-time single family residence. All unmetered sewer customers shall be
assigned a minimum of one (1) ERU.
Living Unit: A unit that has — or has plumbing for — a kitchen sink, toilet, bathing unit (e.g.,
bathtub or shower), and either laundry units or access to common laundry units in the building.
All living units shall be considered one (1) ERU.
2. UNMETERED CUSTOMERS
Customers eligible to be unmetered include:
• Single-family residential customers; and
• Duplexes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, and townhouses with no more than two (2) living units.
All customers not in the above classifications must be metered. Hotels, motels, and similar
transient accommodations are considered commercial establishments and must be metered.
Residential and commercial customers that have a heat pump system using City water must be
metered. All new construction must be metered at the customer's cost. All new meter
installations must be inspected, approved, and documented by the City water department.
Customers required to be metered but are currently unmetered can take advantage of a cost
savings program offered by the City. Reference the City's "Tariff for Water Rates, Charges,
and Fees 2021 to 2025" for the terms and conditions of this program.
Prior to switching to metered service, unmetered customers required to be metered will be
charged per ERU in accordance with the ERU determination methodology in effect prior to
the adoption of this tariff and the rates per ERU in Exhibit 1.
The accounts may be paid by individual occupants or owners of multiple units. When the entire
sewer service to a multiplex or apartment building with two (2) living units is billed to one
account, the charge will be based on total number of living units in the building whether or not
occupied.
The multi -year schedule of rates for unmetered customers is in Exhibit 1.
All unmetered customers not required to be metered by the City may elect to install water
meters at their own expense, after which the customers will be charged metered rates. When
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff Page 1 of 10
36
considering whether to incur the costs of a installing a water meter, customers are encouraged
to consider that a future water and sewer rate study may impact either or both unmetered and
metered rates.
3. METERED CUSTOMERS
Sewer customers with metered service shall be charged based upon the quantity of metered
water, except that those customers having a sewer meter shall be charged for the quantity of
sewage actually metered. Meters must include readouts at a location acceptable to the City to
allow for accurate meter readings. Remote readers are required. If a customer has multiple
metered services, each metered service will be computed as a separate bill.
The cost of initial installation of a meter in a new facility will be paid by the customer. The
cost of maintenance, repair and replacement of all meters will be at customer expense. The
customer will provide a meter, and the user will pay the cost of installation, where an existing
service is converted to meter and the commercial use/activities of the user have not changed.
If the meter is required due to changed usage, the customer will pay all costs, including the
cost of the meter. Customers are responsible for changing any batteries required for the meter
and meter reader to work properly. Failure to repair or replace a faulty meter or to address a
meter operating deficiency will result in the billing department estimating the meter reading.
If the customer fails to replace a faulty meter or address a meter operating deficiency within
90 days of being informed of the need to address the issue, the City may, at its expense, replace
the meter or address the operating deficiency and charge the customer as a work order, at
double the costs incurred by the City, to encourage customers to repair, replace, and maintain
their own equipment. In all cases, the City will specify and/or approve the type of meter and
its installation.
If a customer is required by the City to switch from unmetered to metered service, the customer
may be eligible to receive a reimbursement from the City for the meter and installation costs.
The amount of the reimbursement is in accordance with the parameters established in the
"Unmetered Customers" section of this rate tariff.
The multi -year schedule of rates for metered customers is in Exhibit 1.
Special rates, charges, and fees include charges for service not included in the rates for
unmetered and metered customers covered in previous sections of this tariff and in Exhibit 1.
The special rates, charges, and fees are in Exhibit 2.
5. ANNUAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS
In the absence of a formal study recommendation or action by the city council, the sewer rates,
charges, and fees in Exhibits 1 and 2 shall be automatically adjusted — without a public hearing
— in accordance with the annual increase provisions contained in the exhibits. These automatic
increases for inflationary effects on the costs of operations shall be effective for all bills
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff Page 2 of 10
37
rendered on or after January 1st of each year. The first increases under these provisions shall
become effective on January 1, 2026 unless an earlier effective date is specified in Exhibits 1
and 2.
6. CONTRACTUAL RATES
The City may negotiate or renegotiate a special service contract with a customer if there are
unique conditions or circumstances of providing service to the customer that warrant special
considerations. Such contracts will set or amend a rate which will ensure that the customer
pays its full share of the utility's fixed and variable operating and maintenance costs. All special
contracts and renegotiations of existing special contracts shall be approved by a resolution of
the City Council.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1: Schedule of Monthly Sewer Rates (Page 4 of 10)
Exhibit 2: Sewer System Special Rates, Charges, and Fees (Starts on Page 5 of 10)
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff Page 3 of 10
38
Exhibit 1
City of Seward, Alaska
Schedule of Monthly Sewer Rates
Effective Effective Effective
Effective
Effective
Annual Increase
Line As Soon January 15, January 15,
January 15,
January 15,
Reference
No. Description As Practical 2022 2023
2024
2025
After 2025
UNMETERED CUSTOMERS [*1
1 Monthly Charge Per Living Unit $ 67.46 $ 70.16 $ 72.97
$ 75.89
$ 78.92
[A]
Base Infrastructure Charge:
2 1" Water Meter or Smaller
3 Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
4 Greater Than 1. 5" Up to 2" Water Meter
5 Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
6 Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
7 Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
8 Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
9 Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
10 Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
Charge for Consumption Per 1,000 Gallons
$ 56.22 $
58.47
$
60.81
$ 63.24
$ 65.77
[A]
112.43
116.93
121.62
126.48
131.53
[A]
179.89
187.09
194.59
202.37
210.45
[A]
337.30
350.80
364.85
379.45
394.60
[A]
562.17
584.67
608.08
632.42
657.67
[A]
1,124.33
1,169.33
1,216.17
1,264.83
1,315.33
[A]
1,798.93
1,870.93
1,945.87
2,023.73
2,104.53
[A]
2,585.97
2,689.47
2,797.18
2,909.12
3,025.27
[A]
4,834.63
5,028.13
5,229.52
5,438.78
5,655.93
[A]
11 All Gallons $ 6.77 $ 7.04 $ 7.32 $ 7.61 $ 7.92 [A]
[*] Any unmetered customers that are required by the City to be metered based on the customer classifications shall be charged the following monthly rates per ERU
until switched over to metered service. The number of ERU's for such customers shall be determined by the ERU determination methodology in effect prior to
the adoption of this tariff.
Effective Effective Effective Effective Effective
As Soon January 15, January 15, January 15, January 15,
As Practical 2022 2023 2024 2025
Rate Per ERU for Unmetered Customers Required to Be
Metered By the City But Not Yet Switched Over to
Metered Service $ 70.16 $ 72.97 $ 75.89 $ 78.93 $ 82.09
ANNUAL INCREASE REFERENCES:
[A] In the absence of a formal study recommendation or action by the city council, the rates and fees herein provided shall be automatically increased for
inflationary effects on the costs of operations - without a public hearing - effective for all bills rendered on or after January 15th of each year. The
percentage increase, if any, shall be the average of the five (5) previous published years' annual increases in the Urban Alaska Consumer Price Index,
all urban consumers, not seasonally adjusted (the "CPI") (Series ID: CUURS49GSAO accessed via https:Hdata.bls.gov/cgi-bin/srgate) as published
by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, if the previous five years' annual increases in the CPI were
1.4%, 3.0%, 0.5%, 0.4%, and 0.5%, the average increase of 1.2% would be applied to the rates.
39
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff Page 4 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Sewer System Special Rates, Charees, and Fees
Line
No.
Annual
Effective Increase
As Soon As Practical Reference
1. Users generating sewage with a BOD and SS loading in excess of 250 Specified rate in rate tables times a factor of the actual BOD and SS
mg/liter upon a determination by the Public Works Director or his/her loading (in mg/liter) divided by 250 mg/liter, plus the cost of testing
designee that the concentration and characteristics of the sewage will
not cause a detrimental effect upon the sewer system and/or treatment
plant.
[BOD = "Biological Oxygen Demand" and SS = "Suspended Solids"]
2. Tank Truck Operators: Fresh sewage from portable or chemical toilets
(provided the Public Works Director or his/her designee determines the
waste will not be detrimental to the sewer system and/or treatment
plant). Tank trunk operators must have a contract with the City prior to
discharging waste into the City's sewer system and must keep an
accurate log sheet of all discharges and submit the log sheet with
payment monthly.
NOTE:
Per Section 14.20.060 of the City Code of Ordinances, it is unlawful to
discharge into the City's sewer system, septic tank waste or any waste
containing toxic or other materials that could cause the City's discharge
to violate the EPA or DEC discharge permit.
3. Recreational Vehicle - Wastewater Dump Site Use
Per thousand gallons: $65.48 N/A
Included in daily RV, N/A
camper, or trailer permit fee
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff 40 Page 5 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Sewer System Special Rates, Charees, and Fees
Line Effective
No. Description As Soon As Practical
Public and Private Campground Operators - Charges to Collect and Per day per RV, camper, or trailer
Submit to City for Sewer Service: permit, not including tent campers $1.50
[Operators must maintain sufficient records to compute a monthly
payment, and such records shall be made available to the City upon
request.]
4. Ship's Sewage:
5. Sewer Service Inspection Fee (Performed by City):
6. Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: help to recover the City's
fixed costs of providing service while customer's service is inactive
upon a seasonal turn-off; charged monthly:
Cruise ship sewage is not accepted by the City. Sewage from other
vessels is not accepted without special permission from the Public
Works Director or his/her designee. Any accepted sewage shall be
billed at the effective metered customer rates or other applicable rates
as determined by the Public Works Director or his/her designee.
$150
2021 Monthly Rates
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$56.22
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
56.22
1" Water Meter or Smaller
56.22
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
112.43
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
179.89
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
337.30
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
562.17
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
1,124.33
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
1,798.93
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
2,585.97
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
4,834.63
Annual
Increase
Reference
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff 41 Page 6 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Sewer System Special Rates, Charees, and Fees
Annual
Line Effective Increase
No. Description As Soon As Practical Reference
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.)
2022 Monthly Rates
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$58.47
N/A
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
58.47
N/A
1" Water Meter or Smaller
58.47
N/A
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
116.93
N/A
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
187.09
N/A
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
350.80
N/A
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
584.67
N/A
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
1,169.33
N/A
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
1,870.93
N/A
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
2,689.47
N/A
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
5,028.13
N/A
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.)
2023 Monthly Rates
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$60.81
N/A
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
60.81
N/A
1" Water Meter or Smaller
60.81
N/A
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
121.62
N/A
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
194.59
N/A
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
364.85
N/A
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
608.08
N/A
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
1,216.17
N/A
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
1,945.87
N/A
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
2,797.18
N/A
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
5,229.52
N/A
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff 42 Page 7 of 10
Line
No.
7
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Sewer System Special Rates, Charees, and Fees
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.)
Infrastructure Charges for Inactive Accounts: (cont.)
Unauthorized Connection or Discharge into the City Sewer System:
Annual
Effective Increase
As Soon As Practical Reference
2024 Monthly Rates
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$63.24
N/A
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
63.24
N/A
1" Water Meter or Smaller
63.24
N/A
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
126.48
N/A
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
202.37
N/A
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
379.45
N/A
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
632.42
N/A
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
1,264.83
N/A
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
2,023.73
N/A
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
2,909.12
N/A
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
5,438.78
N/A
2025 Monthly Rates
Unmetered Residental Per Living Unit
$65.77
[A]
Unmetered Nonresidential Per ERU
65.77
[A]
1" Water Meter or Smaller
65.77
[A]
Greater Than 1" Up to 1.5" Water Meter
131.53
[A]
Greater Than 1.5" Up to 2" Water Meter
210.45
[A]
Greater Than 2" Up to 3" Water Meter
394.60
[A]
Greater Than 3" Up to 4" Water Meter
657.67
[A]
Greater Than 4" Up to 6" Water Meter
1,315.33
[A]
Greater Than 6" Up to 8" Water Meter
2,104.53
[A]
Greater Than 8" Up to 10" Water Meter
3,025.27
[A]
Greater Than 10" Up to 12" Water Meter
5,655.93
[A]
Per Occurrence: $1,000 N/A
PLUS Cost of repair, restoration or cleanup by the City
PLUS State and/or Federal penalties and charges levied against the
City or individuals
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff 43 Page 8 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Sewer System Special Rates, Charees, and Fees
Line
No.
8. Restoration of Sewer Service and Repair of Damage by Owner or
Contractor to City Facilities:
9. Locate Sewer Main:
10. Security Deposit:
Unmetered Customers
Metered Customers
11. Contractor Work:
12. Sewage Meter:
Annual
Effective Increase
As Soon As Practical Reference
Actual cost, including city overhead, administration, labor, materials
and equipment
First Locate: No Charge
Each Additional Locate on Property: $170 N/A
Large projects requiring several locates will be under a special contract
and may require an additional fee.
Per Section 14.01.030 of City Code of Ordinances. Based on two (2)
months fixed charges or such other amount as may be established by
resolution.
Two (2) months fixed charges for Unmetered Customers multiplied by
a factor of three (3)
Any contractor tapping into a city sewer main, or otherwise working N/A
on a City sewer main, must be properly licensed to perform the work
and must also provide a $5,000.00 bond or equivalent cash guarantee
payable to the City.
Computed from the quantity of metered water delivered to the same
activity unless a sewage meter has been installed. Sewage meters
approved by the City may be installed at the user's expense.
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff 44 Page 9 of 10
Exhibit 2
City of Seward, Alaska
Sewer System Special Rates, Charees, and Fees
Annual
Line Effective Increase
No. Description As Soon As Practical Reference
13. Delinquent Account Charges Interest rate: 10% per annum N/A
Monthly late fee: $5 N/A
For customers receiving more than one service (e.g., electric, water, and sewer service), the delinquent account charges apply to the
combined bill and not to each service.
ANNUAL INCREASE REFERENCES:
N/A No annual increases.
[A] After 2025, infrastructure charges for inactive accounts shall be automatically adjusted on an annual basis by the same percentage increases, if any, as the City's
monthly sewer base infrastructure charges.
City of Seward Sewer Rate Tariff 45 Page 10 of 10