Sewer rate change unlikely
By Jim Butler
Chawana Fontenot’s study of water usage-based sewerage rates is a lot like a dead snake thrown into a chicken coop -- her fellow City Council members walked over to it, looked at it and quickly dispersed.
In January, the council directed that consumption-governed rates be considered as an alternative to the toilet-tax rates in use since 1969.
At that time, Alderman Dale Soileau said it seemed practical to at least take a look at whether wastewater fees should be based on consumption rather than on the number of toilets in a house or business.
Mayor Bob Morris turned the matter over to Alderwoman Fontenot, who did the leg work that resulted in a comprehensive report available for her cohorts and the administration.
With the help of Louisiana Water Co. and with information gathered from other municipalities, Fontenot has facts and figures that to this point have gained no attention.
“I am a little surprised about the indifference to this point. It may not be anything we want to do, but the mayor and the council should at least study the alternatives,” Fontenot said.
The bottom line from her study is that many residents would pay more for wastewater treatment monthly than they now do if a consumption structure was adopted, and many would pay less.
The same is true for commercial accounts, though most would pay more and some of those would experience dramatic increases.
Fontenot made that point when she told the council at its March agenda meeting that the material was available for their study and consideration.
Scanning sample sheets Fontenot provided, Alderman at-large Jack Burson said the council needed to consider that subject very carefully. “Before we jump into the water we need to consider such a change may result in serious increases for some people,” he said, getting amens from the others at the table.
He noted that with economic uncertainties this might not be the time to consider a change that would cost people more money.
Eunice charges residents $10 per toilet for wastewater treatment, a flat rate which has no factor for other wastewater-generating functions or for water runoff.
Whether a household uses 1,000 gallons of water monthly or 10,000 gallons, the treatment rate is the same -- $10 per toilet. Ten dollars has been the residential rate since 1993.
Commercial and public-facility rates are either toilet-based or a flat schedule, and have been also been the same since 1993.
A look at the LAWCO-generated study shows the degree of the bargain the rate structure provides and also provides understanding of why the council might be reluctant to move in that direction.
It shows average monthly water consumption for Eunice residential and commercial customers and what they would pay under rates about to take effect in Crowley -- $11 for the 2,000 gallons or less, and $1.75 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter. Crowley is raising its rates for the first time in 13 years.
Other area cities have different rates for wastewater treatment, but all are based on water consumption.
LAWCO used the new Crowley rate to build examples.
The 39 million gallons of water consumed monthly would generate about $131,500 in treatment fees. The current fees yield about $101,000.
The study shows a number of residences use 10,000 gallons of water a month or more, with quite a few at more than 15,000 gallons, some topping 20,000 gallons monthly.
A random sampling of the higher usages and what the cost would be under the new Crowley rate:
12,000 gallons, West Magnolia, $36;
25,600 gallons, 5th Street, $70;
19,600 gallons, Miller, $55;
17,700 gallons, University Place, $50;
31,800 gallons, Betty, $85;
27,400 gallons, Athabaska, $74.
Hundreds of residential accounts are less than 3,000 gallons a month, meaning the wastewater treatment fee would be about $13, and there are many in the 5,000 to 10,000 gallon range, with projected sewerage bills of $15 to $25.
Businesses in some cases would move from paying a pittance to substantial wastewater charges, ranging as high as $2,500 monthly.
LSUE’s flat rate of $600 monthly would be closer to $2,000 on average water consumption of about 145,000 gallons. That rate does not include Bengal Village, which is a separate entity.
Schools now pay a flat $250 monthly. Under the fee projection, Eunice High would pay about $1,600; Eunice Jr. High, $140; Eunice Elementary, $250; Glendale Elementary, $97; Highland Elementary, $117; and Central Middle School, $270.
The city’s bill would jump to $6,000 just at City Hall. It’s bill now is $8 for each of the first two toilets and $5 for every additional.
Similar increases are projected for the Housing Authority, apartment complexes, medical facilities and other institutions, none of which currently pay on the basis of water consumption.
The LAWCO study does not take into consideration any yard or swimming pool meters.
Such meters that installed in many locales and allow differentiation between water consumption that doesn’t reach the wastewater system, but instead is used to water lawns, fill swimming pools, and the like.
The yard meters avoid charging wastewater treatment fees for water consumption that theoretically never reaches the wastewater plant.