South Tahoe Public Utility District to hold public meeting on proposed rate hike
Submitted by paula on Fri, 04/05/2024 - 3:16pm
Wastewater System Upgrades – The District plans to rehabilitate and replace nine sewer pump stations, 30,000 linear feet of sewer mains, and three critical facilities at the treatment plant.
Event Date:
April 25, 2024 - 6:00pm
The South Tahoe Public Utility District (District) is hosting a Public Meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive to discuss proposed rate increases. Most of South Lake Tahoe’s water and sewer systems were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Much of this infrastructure needs to be upgraded, repaired, or replaced.
The District is considering raising water and sewer rates over the next five years to provide revenue to address:
Community Fire Flow – The District intends to install or replace 180 fire hydrants and upsize 60,000 linear feet of waterlines in the City and County to ensure adequate water for firefighting.
Wastewater System Upgrades – The District plans to rehabilitate and replace nine sewer pump stations, 30,000 linear feet of sewer mains, and three critical facilities at the treatment plant.
A five-year series of changes to water and sewer rates were developed to improve the water, wastewater, and recycled water systems, and lower long-term costs. The proposed rates are based on capital improvement projects, long-term estimated costs, water demand, and more.
For a typical residential customer, this would result in an approximate increase of $6.50 per month for sewer and $7.50 per month for water. To see a detailed breakdown of proposed rates, visit stpud.us/customers/rate-changes/.
“These rate increases are regrettable, but they are necessary,” said David Peterson, Board President. “Inflation is hitting all our budget line items, and we need to cover those increases. At the same time, nearly all our systems are 60 years old and have reached the end of their life, so replacements are unavoidable. Every dollar we are requesting is necessary for keeping the water on and sewage going away. The Board has studied the numbers and is unanimous on the need for these increases.”