LYNNWOOD – When it comes to water, the more you use, the more you will pay.
And when it comes to sewage, the less you produce, the less you will pay.
Make sense?
Lynnwood officials hope so, as they change the way the city charges for water and sewer service next year in an effort to make rates more equitable.
Example: If a single-family home produces 748 gallons of wastewater, the old rate would be $20.95 and the new rate $9.50.
The Lynnwood City Council voted this week to switch to the new rate system starting January 2004. The new system will change how rates are calculated to make sure users pay their fair share, but it won’t bring in more money to the city, Lynnwood Public Works director Bill Vlcek said.
Although the new rates look complicated, the concept is simple, he said. Customers who use more water and produce more waste will pay more. If they use less, they will pay less.
Under the current system, users pay a flat fee for water and sewer service that includes 7,480 gallons of water, Vlcek said, plus an extra charge if they use more.
The problem is that most customers don’t use that much, he said. That means those who try to conserve water don’t see a drop in their bills.
Next year, the city will charge a flat fee for use of the water and sewer system, plus $1.18 for every 100 cubic feet (748 gallons) of water used. For sewer, single-family homes and multifamily homes such as apartments will pay a flat fee plus $2.50 for every 748 gallons of wastewater produced.
Businesses will pay a flat fee for sewer service, plus a charge based on the type of the wastewater they produce. Some businesses, such as restaurants, produce wastewater that is harder to treat, so they’ll be charged more, Vlcek said.
“Virtually everyone’s bill will change because of this. Some will be higher, and some will be lower, but a number of them will be substantially higher or substantially lower because they use a lot less water or a lot more water,” Vlcek said.
Although individual bills will vary, most businesses will see some increase for water and sewer, and most multiunit homes will see some decrease, Vlcek said.
Many residents, though, will see changes as little as $1, he said.
Most Lynnwood households use about 5,000 gallons of water every month, he said, adding that Lynnwood has not raised water and sewer rates since 1993. Vlcek said residents still pay some of the lowest rates in the area.
The change also will make sure different types of users pay their fair share. A study of water and sewer rates charged by the city for 10 years showed that the rates weren’t reflecting who was using the most water and sewer service. For example, 37 percent of the city’s water went to businesses, but businesses were only paying 32 percent of the costs.
The council approved the changes Feb. 24. Customers can call the department with questions at 425-670-6644.
Katherine Schiffner is a reporter for the Herald in Everett.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
