The District strongly recommends that property owners who plan on being away from their homes or businesses for any length of time have District personnel turn offtheir water service at the meter pit. This procedure will help insure against the loss of water in the event of a leak along the service line, or within the structure - potentially causing water damage to the property . The District will perform this service, as well as turning the water back onat the meter pit, for no charge during regular business hours of 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, seven days a week. After hours requests between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM will result in a $45.00 charge to the account.
EU Calculation Method Supports Affordable Housing and Water Conservation
On August 12, 2008, the PAWSD Board of Directors adopted through resolution a new method of Equivalent Unit (EU) calculation for new or change of use connections to the PAWSD system. This new method supports water conservation efforts by rewarding an owner, through lower EU allocation and lower associated fees and monthly charges, for the use of water saving appurtenances. The new method also potentially reduces the EU allocation for multi-unit housing projects.
This method employs the industry standard Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) to assign a weighted fixture unit count to a residence or business. This fixture count will dictate the gallons per minute of water demand needed, thus indicating the appropriate meter size required. The lower the fixture count, the less needed water demand, and thus the smaller the meter size and associated EUs. Low-flow and water conserving appurtenances will result in a lower fixture count, meter size and EU allocation.
Additional Board actions supporting financial advantages for customers include:
The Board adopted fee amortization, which will allow a new customer to spread the Water Resource Fee payments over five years at 5% interest.
For homes under 2,000 square feet having a low fixture count, the lesser of the CIF calculated by square footage (old method) or meter size (new method) will apply until Dec. 31, 2008.
This decision was made in response to community input requesting the Board to revisit the manner in which it levies its Capital Investment and Water Resource Fees (CIF/WRF). Members of business community have argued that given the national and local economic downturn, PAWSD charges for system improvements and development were precluding new enterprises from building or relocating in the area. This public input expedited PAWSD’s movement in this direction which was already in progress based upon a 2003 rate study.
For more information on our affordable housing, fee amortization or water conservation policies, please contact us!
Using water wisely always makes sense and by eliminating wasteful or unintentional use of water, we benefit in ways that reach far into the future.
Conservation measures can help to reduce long-term water needs and thus reduce or delay the need for new water supply, transmission, storage and treatment facilities. Reduction of water demands also means that more water remains in our streams and reservoirs providing in stream flows, water quality, aquatic life, recreation and aesthetic benefits to our community.
WATER CONSERVATION TIERED RATES HAVE THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES:
You pay for what you use! The more you use, the more you pay.
The structure has been built based upon District customer characteristics and use.
The resulting revenue generated is in correct proportion to the various types of customers.
Encourages water conservation and rewards conservation efforts.
