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Walkerton
takes step
on water rates, sewage plant
South Bend Tribune
- 1/24
A
continued monthly loss of revenue in the town's water utility
service is likely to result in a rate increase for town users.
After
a water rate study presented by Umbaugh & Associates accountants,
the town council this week approved a first reading on a proposed
increase in the town water rate by an estimated $5.20 per month
per customer. The rate is based on the customer having a five-eighths-inch
pipe and using 5,000 gallons. The current monthly water bill for
the same usage is $32.32.
The
estimated 16.1 percent increase is necessary to meet a $3,500
monthly loss in water operating revenue, said Town Council President
Gene Reese.
Reasons
for the operating fund shortfall include higher operating costs,
the increase in medical costs for utility workers and, possibly,
inaccurate readings from old meters still in use, Reese said.
"We're
in the process of replacing all older meters in town," Reese
said. "When that is done, we probably will get a more accurate
reading on how much water is being used. That will reflect the
amount of money the town receives for the water."
The
clerk-treasurer will advertise the new rate and schedule a public
hearing on Feb. 17. Final approval would come after the public
hearing.
A
discussion on the wastewater utility rates was tabled until next
month's first meeting.
In
a related wastewater topic, Ken Jones, president of Wightman-Petrie
Inc., the town's consulting engineers, recommended the town proceed
with the design and construction of a new wastewater treatment
facility using the sequential batch reactor technology.
Jones'
recommendation, based on a study of the 20-year-old treatment
facility, followed the failure of the facility to meet Indiana
Department
of Environmental Management ammonia emission requirements.
For
the past several years, the town, with assistance from public-health
and university environmental officials, has attempted without
success to comply with IDEM's lower ammonia emission standards,
especially during the winter months.
Eventually,
when the town seeks to renew its permit to continue to operate
on the current emission standards, IDEM may not only require the
town to comply, but even require more stringent standards, said
Jones.
"We
have always worked toward compliance," said Streets and Wastewater
Supervisor Jeff Zehner. "The problem is, we received a mandate
from the state but no help from the federal government or state
to fund the improvement, and the cost must fall on the local residents."
However,
Zehner emphasized, the proposed water treatment facility project
will involve a modification in the existing facility, rather than
a new facility.
Jones
said he will return to the council next month with details on
available outside sources of funding for the proposed project.
Zehner
reported that the utility department crews collected and chipped
130 Christmas trees thus far this winter. Collection of trees
will continue through the end of the month.
Park
Superintendent Phil Buckmaster submitted the 2002 annual report
on Walkerton parks, which also included a list of goals for 2003.
The
council also approved:
A
monthly cost of $74.44 by Centennial Wireless Service for the
service of two phones by the electric and water department.
A
cost of no more than $1,500 for infrared light tests and breathing
apparatus on three tanks used by the water department. The tests
will be for iron deposits on the inside of the tanks' filter system.
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