EPWU PSB discusses possible water rate hike Monday

Saving water may give El Paso Water Utilities customers some extra money in their wallets next fiscal year.

During a budget meeting on Monday, the Public Service Board got a briefing of how current projects are going and the proposed rate increases for waste water and reclaimed water, which is separate from the proposed storm water fee increase.

Some of the challenges EPWU is facing include drought, customer growth and maintaining plants and water lines across the city. The proposed water, waste water and reclaimed water budget for next fiscal year is $332 million.

Similar to last Monday’s meeting, EPWU staff presented two alternatives to board members.

Alternative 1 recommends an 8 percent rate increase across the board. For what’s called a medium or average water consumer, that’s an increase of about $1.62 a month.

Alternative 2 is also seeking an 8 percent rate increase, but would actually reward those who use less water. That means the average consumer’s monthly rate would go up by 13 percent, bringing it to $2.65 more a month. The silver lining? Alternative 2 could actually decrease rates for those who use the lowest amount of water by $5.92 a month, which is a 52 percent decrease. Alternative 2 is the one staff is recommending the PSB approve.

The budget will be presented to the PSB for approval Dec. 10.