Stillwater NewsPress

Local News

July 15, 2012

Stillwater Utilities Authority will look at raising rates

By Ricky O'Bannon Stillwater NewsPress

STILLWATER, Okla. — Stillwater Utilities Authority will look at two water and wastewater rate increases on Monday.

The rate increases are part of a long-term plan by Stillwater to raise the money needed to finance a complete replacement of all city water infrastructure on a 50-year cycle. That replacement includes all pipes, pumps, water towers, treatment facilities and the Kaw pipeline, which supplies the city with untreated water from the Kaw Reservoir near Ponca City.

Several years back, Stillwater hired the firm R.W. Beck to determine just how much money it would need and what rate increases would be required to get the city on a sustainable infrastructure replacement schedule. R.W. Beck completed the study in 2009, and Stillwater Utilities Authority trustees — who are the City Council members — have been approving gradual increases over the past few years.

The increase being considered Monday would keep Stillwater largely on track with the rates recommended in the study. There are two components to a utility bill. The first is called a “monthly minimum” by the SUA, and is a charge based on the size of a water tap regardless of whether any water is used.

The second part of the bill is the cost per 1,000 gallons of either water or wastewater.

If the rate increase is approved Monday, the monthly minimum bill for a 3/4-inch water main — which is the typical size for most residents — will increase from $5.50 to $6 on residents’ July bill. The minimum bill for wastewater or sewer will go from $7.50 to $8.

 

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