The first of several years of substantial water rate increases for City of Rockdale customers will be reflected on bills soon after the city council gave second, and final, reading approval to new fees Monday.
City Manager Chris Whittaker said some increases will appear on March bills with the full impact—for this year—in April.
That action came during a lengthy session at the Patterson Center during which council members okayed an initial $10-million in planning and design expenditures for what’s currently projected as a $63-million-plus replacement and upgrade, $48-million in water and the rest in wastewater.
A rate study pegged this year’s increase for the “average” customer—which probably doesn’t exist in reality—from the current $73.84 to $106.69. An increase to $177.63 in 2023 is part of the study’s estimate.
WILD CARDS—But there’s still decisions to be made before those numbers get anywhere near firm.
The council discussed, but took no action on, comments by the public requesting some kind of rate discount for low-income and/or senior citizens.
Whittaker said it’s possible that matter could be “re-visited” by the council at a later date.
Whittaker has been tasked with reporting back to the council in April on the feasibility of purchasing already treated water from one of three area water treatment systems—Southwest Milam, Blue and Aqua.
That might eliminate the need for a new water treatment plant, but could carry substantial new costs if the city decides to link up with a system miles away.
“They (could) build a pipeline from their system to link up with Rockdale and then say to us ‘here’s your bill to pay for it’,” Whittaker said.
RED WATER—There were several comments during the public hearing which preceded the regular session, including some from former Rockdale Mayor John Shoemake.
Shoemake, who was mayor from 2004-2010, said he supports the effort to fix the water and sewer systems but questions whether the plan would, indeed, finally rid the city of its 60-year red water problem.
“The only way we’re going to get rid of the red is to move,” he said. “You get water out of this aquifer it’s going to turn red.”
Bob Lane of KSA Engineering said the water will be treated with the Green-sand treatment system.
“Iron and manganese are causing your red water,” he said. “This attracts and collects iron and manganese which are then removed and discharged. Treatments have improved a lot over the last 40 years.”
“This (process) has been removing iron and manganese across the United States,” Lane said.
“I’m hoping you’re right,” Shoemake said.
Shoemake also pointed out previous city administrations were aware of the red water situation and did attempt to address it “incrementally” over the years in a number of ways.
METER SIZE—Much of Monday’s discussion was about the effect of water meter size on expenses and rates.
The current project is based on a standard 3/4-inch meter diameter with higher rates for customers with larger meters.
Mayor John King asked about the possibility of making the one-inch meter size standard, which would lightly increase the monthly bills of customers with 3/4-inch meters.
Reason for taking a look at that alternative was the “switch-out” plan proposed by City Manager Chris Whittaker, which was approved later in the meeting.
Under that plan the city will replace current meters over 3/4-inch at no cost to the customer and bill them at the 3/4-inch rate until such time as the change is made.
The expense for that project was estimated at up to $200,000. If the city went with a one-inch standard that project wouldn’t be necessary, although it would increase the bills of customers with the smaller-size meters.
Whittaker said there are about 1,600 3/4-inch meters in Rockdale with 440 at 1-inch or higher.
The council consensus was to remain with the 3/4-inch standard size but the panel struggled with how to enact the meter-replacement parameters.
One issue raised was the possibility that large businesses, who might need larger meters due to fire safety concerns and other restrictions, could end up receiving the free switch to 3/4-inch from the city.
Councilman Doug Calame’s many-times amended motion, which passed 6-0, called for the city to switch the meters for free but requests would need to be “verified and approved” by the city as meeting all code requirements.
DEADLINE—Whittaker said a letter will be sent to all owners of 1-inch and larger meters asking owners if they want to take advantage of the free switch-out program.
Owners have until a May 1 deadline to respond.
You can read your own meter by following the steps listed under the photo above or call City Hall at 512-446-2511.
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