South Tahoe Public Utility District Seeks Public Input About Rate Increases and System Upgrades

Rates for South Tahoe Public Utility customers need to be raised "in order to be prepared for fire, prevent sewer or recycled water spills into the lake and meet law requirements on new meter installation," according to South Tahoe Public Utility District G.M. Richard Solbrig. He provided explanation of the three challenges to the district in a presentation to Tahoe Douglas Rotarians on Friday, January 31.

There are a number of rate and system improvement alternatives and the District is seeking public input on them. The first of four meetings to review the plan and alternatives will be held on February 6 at 6 p.m.

Solbrig outlined the three challenges: 1) Need to provide enough water to all the neighborhoods if another major wildfire should strike in South Lake Tahoe. To do this, they need to replace undersized pipes and upgrading pumps and other facilities; 2) Need to conform to a state law that requires all homes in the district to have meters by 2025; and 3) Need the wastewater system to be secure against leaks and breaks that can cause sewage spills, and to ensure that we can continue to pump recycled water to Alpine County as required by the state.

In order to complete the three tasks, rates will need to be raised. Solbrig outlined costs during the Friday meeting. There are three alternative choices the District has proposed and is seeking public comment on. To just install meters as required by law, rates will need to go up about $1.00 per month. This is considered the highest risk. The second alternative is to complete some of the required projects, delay some of the improvements and finish 20-25 years from now will cost $4.00 per month. The final alternative is considered the best choice by the District, will be to get appropriate and adequate improvements that meet quality, legals and regulatory needs. This plan will take 10-15 years and bills will go up about $7.00 a month.

The remaining meetings on the upgrades will be held on March 25 at 2 pm, May 15 at 6 pm and June 5 at 2 pm. The final vote by the board of directors on the plan will be held on July 5.

All meetings will be held at the South Tahoe Public Utility District board room at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive in South Lake Tahoe.