September 25, 2008

The rate increase will help cover rising costs associated with maintaining the system.

Denver Water Board approves rate change

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, Denver residential customers will see their bills increase an average of $19.14 per year. Suburban residential customers served by Denver Water will see an average increase of $33.12 per year.

Denver Water’s Board of Water Commissioners on Wednesday, Sept. 24, approved a proposal to adjust water rates for 2009 to help cover rising costs associated with maintaining and improving the city’s water system.

The decision will maintain Denver Water’s conservation-oriented pricing structure, which provides lower rates for low water use.

Adjustments also have been made for commercial, industrial and government customers.

How do Denver Water’s bills compare with other utilities across the Front Range? Look at this comparison.  

Your opinion about rates matters

Denver Water wants your opinion on three possible rate structures for 2010 and beyond.

Denver Water, a not-for-profit independent city agency owned by its customers, wants to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers by taking into consideration their thoughts on three different rate structures:

• Denver Water’s existing rate structure.
• A seasonal rate structure (winter and summer rates) with individualized water consumption blocks for each customer.
• A water budget rate structure that sets a monthly individualized budget for water consumption based on factors such as lot size, irrigable areas and estimated indoor water needs.

Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey.

Denver Water supports two water-related PBS documentaries

Next week, PBS will air two shows educating the public about water issues facing our country:

• Liquid Assets: The Story of Our Water Infrastructure – Airs at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, on Rocky Mountain PBS, KRMA Channel 6.
  
  This 90-minute documentary tells the story of our country’s water, wastewater and storm water infrastructures — systems essential for economic development and growth. Some of these systems have been underground for more than a century and have not received adequate maintenance and repairs, creating what some have called the single largest public works endeavor in our nation’s history.
  
  Denver Water Infrastructure Update
  On Oct. 1, Denver Water will provide a local follow-up to the show on its Web site, updating customers with information about Denver’s water issues and infrastructure maintenance and repairs.
  
  
• American Southwest: Are We Running Dry? – Airs at 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, on Rocky Mountain PBS, KRMA Channel 6.
  
  This documentary offers a look at how water shortages affect states in the southwest. It provides information about conservation, water reuse, desalination, population growth and future water policies.

Save time and go green

If you haven’t already, make the switch to Denver Water’s Automatic Payment Plan and/or electronic bill pay option. Save time, paper (trees) and postage with our free, secure and convenient bill pay plans. Sign up today!