At the August 4, 2008, Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting Resolution 2008-29 was approved to amend a schedule of sewer charges and fees relative to sewer use pursuant to Title 18, Chapter 2, of the Arlington Municipal Code. This means that the citizens of the Town of Arlington will experience an increase in their monthly sewer fees beginning with the October 1, 2008, billing cycle. In an effort to help you understand why this increase is necessary, we ask that you please take a moment to read the following information.
There are several factors that govern the sewer rate charged not only in the Town of Arlington but in all cities in the state and across the country. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) have placed very strict guidelines on all cities that discharge treated wastewater back into our rivers and streams. These new regulations have made it better for the environment; however, it has also made wastewater treatment more costly for cities.
The Town of Arlington has had several independent studies performed on its current sewer system. These studies focused on the most cost-effective method to meet the new regulations while keeping costs down. The Sewer Fund is an enterprise fund which means it must pay for itself. The Town of Arlington does not operate the sewer services for profit. However, if the sewer system operates at a loss for two consecutive years, the State Wastewater Finance Board steps in and performs its own studies to mandate fees that bring the town’s system into compliance.
The Town makes every effort to hold costs down while meeting the State and Federal regulations. The developers are required by our ordinances and subdivision regulations to design, purchase, and install all sewer collections system and lift stations in their development. In addition, developers and builders are charged a sewer development fee to ensure that new development pays for itself and this cost is not passed on to existing homeowners.
The Town Sewer revenue for the 2007/2008 fiscal year did not fund the expense of the system, leaving a deficit of $379,434.00. Due to this deficit, the Town requested the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) to conduct a sewer rate review. In July 2008, MTAS completed their study and recommended a sewer rate increase of 35%. This increase is necessary to prevent a further deficit and meet the annual cost of operations, maintenance, debt and depreciation of the sewer system.
Beginning October 1, 2008, the sewer rate will increase from $1.89 per CCF of water usage to $2.55 per CCF. The additional base rate will increase from $5.00 to $6.75. (See Resolution 2008-29.) A CCF stands for 100 cubic feet of water. One cubic foot is equal to 7.48 gallons of water; therefore, a CCF is 748 gallons of water.
Rate increases tend to make homeowners much more conscious of their usage. The most frequently asked question from homeowners is about water usage that does not actually discharge through the sewer system – the most common usage being landscape irrigation. Unfortunately there is no meter that measures wastewater as it exits the home; therefore, water must be monitored as it comes into the home. This measurement does not distinguish what the water is being used for – bathing, flushing, laundry, irrigation, car washing, pools, etc. Many households experience higher water usage in the summer months due to pools and irrigation. An alternative would be to have MLGW install a separate irrigation water meter. However, the cost for the meter installation (approximately $2,600) and the minimum fee which is charged all year whether water is being used for irrigation or not tends to make this option cost-prohibitive for many households.
We hope this information is helpful. Please contact Town Hall at 867-2620 if you have any additional questions or if we can be of assistance in any way.
Thank you.
[Resolution 2008-29]
