PORT ANGELES — Conservation water rates for businesses as well as residential customers will be studied as Clallam County Public Utility District considers increasing its water rates.
The suggestion arose Monday afternoon during the first of three public hearings held by Clallam PUD on proposed water rate increases.
A second hearing was held Monday evening in Clallam Bay.
The third is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Clallam PUD’s Carlsborg Operations Center, 110 Idea Place.
The PUD has proposed increasing both the fixed daily charge and the consumption charge by 5 percent in eight of its nine water systems and 7 percent in its Island View water system in Clallam Bay.
Residential water customers who use up to 800 cubic feet, or 6,000 gallons, per month would see about a $1.50 monthly increase in their water bills under the proposal.
Commercial water rates in eight of the district’s nine water systems would increase by 5 percent for the consumption charge.
Commercial water rates in the Island View system would increase by 7 percent for the consumption charge.
Source planning
Clallam PUD Treasurer Shelley Burgett said water source planning always has been on the horizon, but now it is moving closer to the forefront.
Reserves are being drawn down $200,000 every year and Burgett isn’t comfortable with less than $500,000 in the fund, she said.
So PUD staff are proposing the 5 percent overall increase with annual adjustments over five years, reviewed annually, she said.
Nothing has changed since these rate increases first were proposed in 2003, Burgett said.
The district implemented a 5 percent increase in 2003 and intended to follow with additional annual increases. But that was delayed while the conservation water rates were studied.
