The new water conservation rates are designed to encourage consumers to reduce the amount of water they use. Irrigation, especially in the summer months, causes water production peaks at the City’s water treatment plants. If water customers can reduce water consumption, expensive capital programs such as increasing the raw water source and expanding water treatment plants can be delayed or potentially eliminated.

"Some of our customers are aware that there have been recent state legislative initiatives concerning water conservation. This new rate structure is part of Arlington’s response to ensuring affordable water availability to future generations, by encouraging wise water use now," said Interim Water Utilities Director Fiona Allen.

The new water and sewer cost of service rate structure is designed to ensure each category of service is self supporting. Currently, water rates subsidize sewer rates and commercial revenue subsidizes residential revenue. The fixed monthly charge (or minimum bill) is not sufficient to cover the fixed costs for providing these services.

Revenue from water commodity charges (cost per 1,000 gallons) has been subsidizing fixed costs, water production and sewer costs. Immediately correcting the fund subsidies would have a huge impact on customers’ monthly bills, therefore, changes will be phased in over a five year period beginning October 1.

A past due fee will be charged to an account when a payment is not made by the due date. This fee will be based on 5 percent of the water and sewer charges on that month’s bill, and added to the next month’s bill.

In addition to these rate changes, other fees, including those related to delinquent accounts, are also increasing. A $250 tampering fee is being added and will be charged to any account where the meter box or meter has been tampered with by breaking or removing a locking device or turning water on when it has been terminated by Arlington Water Utilities (AWU) for non payment.