Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Hailey water fees could drop for some

City expects decrease in water consumption for coming year


By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Hailey residents who keep an eye on their water use could save money next year on their water bills thanks to water conservation efforts and cutbacks in the city's water department budget.

Those who use too much water could see their bills increase.

Public Works Director Tom Hellen hopes the City Council will support his request to reduce water rates for those using less than 50,000 gallons per month, and raise rates for those consuming more.

"The goal is to drop rates," said City Administrator Heather Dawson. "This has been a stated council goal for some time."

According to data collected since the city's water metering system was installed in 2007, 72 percent of water users in the city would see savings next summer. The rest will see their water bills increase, creating what the city hopes will be an incentive to conserve water.

"The burden of excessive water use will fall on those who use the most," Dawson said.

The city installed a water-metering system in the fall of 2007 at a cost of $1.5 million, $750,000 of which was paid with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Since that time the Hailey Public Works Department has had its first good look at water use in the town.

From October 2008 to September 2009, the city consumed 653,622,000 gallons of water. Due to the incentive of metering and educational outreach from city officials advocating water conservation, Hellen expects the city to consume 33,000,000 gallons less in the coming year, or 620,225,000 gallons.

His decision to reduced rates also reflects a 7 percent cut in the water department budget from last year, including a reduction in staff positions.

The changes, if they are approved by the City Council, will begin Oct. 1.

There are 3,167 metered water users in the city of Hailey. Average use ranges from 6,000 gallons per month in winter to 51,000 gallons per month in July.

During winter the city gets almost all of its water from naturally occurring springs in Indian Creek Canyon. During summer it relies on four municipal wells inside the city limits.

About 2,300 Hailey residents are already using less than 50,000 gallons per month.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com




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