Residents of Old Hailey have been given one more year to fix frozen or leaky wastewater pipes before being required to start paying for their profligacy.
After the City Council implemented a method of billing for water use based on consumption this summer, it made similar changes for wastewater charges in October. But since then, city officials became aware of the fact that some residents, especially those living in old houses, had to run water throughout the winter to keep their pipes from freezing.
At its meeting on Monday, Nov. 26, the council approved an amendment to the city's wastewater rates to allow people in that situation to pay a higher base rate, but avoid additional charges based on their water consumption.
In accordance with changes made to wastewater rates this fall, residents are charged a base rate of $21.18 per month plus $2.44 per 1,000 gallons of water use. However, as a result of Monday's council action, users who qualify can pay a flat fee of $35.83 per month. That will also be the rate for new homes or those without data from last winter. City Engineer Tom Hellen said the figure represents the cost for 6,000 gallons of use, which the city determined is the average winter water use.
Users in such situations can contact the city, which will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.
The amendment has a sunset clause, meaning that after this winter, users will have to fix their pipes or face increased charges. That gives residents in Old Hailey a year to bury their water lines deeper underground to prevent freezing or face the consequences.
While some council members worried that perhaps one year wasn't enough time for users to make the necessary improvements, they agreed that it was important to move residents toward conservation.
"We can always revisit the issue in the future," Councilman Don Keirn said. "But now we have something we can get our arms around."
