Water savers to see rewards

But heavy usage to cost more under utility's new charges

Felix Doligosa Jr., Rocky Mountain News

Published September 28, 2006 at midnight

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More than half of Denver households are expected to see cheaper water bills next year if they continue to conserve water, while heavy users will pay more, according to a new rate structure approved Wednesday by the Denver Water Board.

Households in the city that use the average 120,000 gallons of water each year should save about $10 next year, Denver Water said.

The rate, which starts in January, "reinforces and rewards the behaviors" of Denver residents who conserve water, said Penfield Tate, vice president.

Denver Water serves about 1.2 million people in Denver and suburbs such as Lakewood and Littleton.

Rates for businesses also will change, but they still are being discussed, said Trina McGuire-Collier, spokeswoman for the water board.

Board members sought the rate change because of an estimated $12.2 million shortfall caused by higher costs of collecting and treating water and reduced revenue due to customers' conservation efforts.

Here is what the rates look like:

Currently, a family living in the city of Denver that uses 350,000 gallons of water annually - an unusually large amount - would be billed $835.23. Under the new rate, the family would pay $1,165.92.

Today, bills are based on water consumption and the size of the house's water meter. The new plan will include a lower meter price and a higher water consumption rate, which escalates with increased use, McGuire-Collier said.

Under the new rate, a family that uses 107,000 gallons of water would be charged $240.56. Today, that family would have a bill of $256.22.

"Using more water is not the solution," Manager Chips Barry said in a written statement.

"We will continue to look at ways to cut our expenses while we explore rate designs that recover costs, attach an appropriately high value to water, and encourage its wise use."

Households outside of Denver proper, which average 145,000 gallons per year, will save a little more than a dollar next year if they use that amount, under the new rate structure.

If a household outside Denver uses 350,000 gallons of water next year, it will pay about $300 more than this year.

Less than 5 percent of Denver residents use more than 350,000 gallons of water, McGuire-Collier said.

"The Denver Water Board made a great step forward in showing that water is a precious resource that needs to be used wisely," said Taryn Hutchins-Cabibi, a water policy analyst for Western Resource Advocates.

Bills across the West

Charges for 25,000 gallons of water from throughout the West in 2006:

• Austin, Texas $114

• Fort Worth, Texas $66

• Las Vegas $53

• Salt Lake City $51

• San Diego $105

• Tucson $103

• Denver in 2006 $56

• Denver in 2007 $54Source: Individual Utility Web Sites

Yearly costs since 2002

The following are annual bills for Denver households that consumed 120,000 gallons of water (the average usage)

• 2002 $217

• 2003 $222

• 2004 $231

• 2005 $262

• 2006 $282

• 2007 *$273*Estimate Source: Denver Water

Interested in a rebate?

Denver Water offers six kinds of rebates to residential customers. The rebates will be available the rest of the year for purchases made between Jan. 1, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2006. Read rules for qualifying and how to get your applications at www.denverwater.org.

Eligible purchases Rebate amount

• High-efficiency clothes washers $200*

• High-efficiency toilets $125*

• Low-flow toilets $25*

• Evapotranspiration irrigation controllers $150

• Rain sensors $25

• Wireless rain sensors $50

* Only models approved by Denver Water qualify for rebates. Go to www.denverwater.org for details on rebates and incentives.

Waterwise tips

• Fix leaks. To check if your toilet is leaking, place drops of food coloring in the tank and wait at least 15 minutes. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.

• Check water supply lines under the sink for bulges in the hose .

• Watch faucets and shower heads for drips.

• Check for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads.

• Look for soggy spots in the lawn that could be caused by leaks in underground pipes.

• Insulate your water heater and water pipes so you waste less while waiting for hot water to flow.

• Install a low-flow shower head

• Replace your inefficient clothes washer with a highly efficient horizontal-axis washing machine.Source: Denver Water

doligosaf@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2970

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