ROGERS -- Residents will see increases to water service costs, fees and deposits next month after the Rogers Waterworks and Sewer Commission approved a proposal Tuesday.
The cost to install meters, tap into lines and turn on water will increase Feb. 1, said Earl Rausch, Rogers Water Utilities superintendent. The proposal doesn't need City Council approval because it doesn't affect the water use rate.
At A Glance
Proposed increases
Changes to water service construction costs effective Feb. 1
• Five-eighth-of-an-inch single meter: increase from $350 to $500
• Five-eighth-of-an-inch double meter: increase from $425 to $600
• One-inch single meter: increase from $350 to $600
• One-and-a-half inch single meter: increase from $3,000 to $3,500
• Two-inch single meter: increase from $3,000 to $3,500
Changes to Water Service Construction Costs Effective Jan. 1, 2016
• five-eighth-of-an-inch single meter: $700
• five-eighth-of-an-inch double meter: $850
• One-inch single meter: $800
• One-and-a-half inch single meter: $3,700
• Two-inch single meter: $3,700
Large pipe tap costs effective Feb. 1
• One-inch tap: increases from $100 to $150
• Two-inch tap: changes from cost of service to flat fee of $175
• Four-inch tap: increases from $175 to $225
Proposed fee changes
• Insufficient funds penalty: Increases from $0 to $20
• Service charge: increases from $10 to $20
• Same day service charge: increases from $15 to $35
• Deposit for homeowner: $20 to $50
Source: Rogers Water Utilities
Commission Chairman Roger Surly said the increases will be minimal to residents.
"We haven't increased in a long time," Surly said. "It is just to cover costs."
Rausch said a new federal Environmental Protection Agency regulation effective in 2013 requires the Water Department to use no-lead brass in water meters, which is more expensive.
"We are trying to get the price to where we are not losing money," Rausch said.
The cost of installing a one-inch single water meter in 2014 was estimated at $708, including a $508 part, documents from Rogers Water Utilities show. Rogers residents are charged $350 to install the meter, and the cost will rise to $600.
Costs for installing meters will increase again Jan. 1, 2016, Rausch said. The cost for a one-inch single water meter will rise to $800 in 2016, for example, he said.
"We are going to ease into it because the cost hasn't changed in several years," Rausch said, guessing the last increase may have been 2002
Utility officials decided to review water costs and fees after realizing the need to increase what the city charges for water meter installation, he said.
Officials compared the tap and water service fees with other cities', Surly said. For example, Rogers didsn't have a penalty for checks that have insufficient funds, Rausch said. Bentonville, Fayetteville and Springdale charge between $20 to $35 for bounced check, he said.
Starting Feb. 1 Rogers will introduce a $20 fee.
Rogers also plans to increase its deposit for homeowners to start water service from $20 to $50 on Feb. 1, Rausch said. Other cities in the region have a $50 deposit.
Rausch said officials decided not to ask for an increase for some services, including the cost of shutting off water service, which is $31 inside the city. The cost is $45 in Bentonville and $35 in Fayetteville and Springdale, he said.
NW News on 01/21/2015