Public hearing on proposed water rate increase May 16

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The public has another chance to speak to the South Tahoe Public Utility District about a proposed rate change during their board meeting on Thursday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m.

There have been several meetings and workshops about water and sewer rates in South Lake Tahoe since January.

At their March 21 meeting, the Board voted to start a required rate change process. They noticed all ratepayers, informing them there would be a rate increase of up to five percent for sewer rates and six percent for water rates.

On May 16 they will decide what that new rate will be, not exceeding the noticed amount. A rate change would be in place for the next five years starting July 1, 2019, but each of those years the Board would vote what percentage that year's increase would be, up to 5 percent for sewer rates and six percent for water rates.

Most of South Lake Tahoe’s water and sewer system was built in the 1950s and 1960s and needs to be upgraded, repaired or replaced. The District is considering raising water and sewer rates to provide revenue to replace undersized pipes, install new fire hydrants, and upgrade pumping and storage facilities to ensure adequate water for firefighting.

A five-year series of potential changes to water and sewer rates were developed to improve the water, sewer and recycled water systems, and lower long-term costs.

For a typical residential customer, this would result in an approximate increase of $7.00 per quarter for sewer and $11.00-$13.00 per quarter for water.

During the Public Hearing next Thursday, the Board will listen to public comments and will adopt rates and the next fiscal year budget. For more information, visit
www.stpud.us/improvements.

The STPUD Board Room is located at 1275 Meadow Crest Drive in South Lake Tahoe.