Turning On Tap To Cost More Next Year
Drought Costs Passed On To Water Users
POSTED: 12:02 p.m. MST December 3, 2002
UPDATED: 4:16 p.m. MST December 3, 2002
DENVER -- No matter how much snow falls this winter, nearly 1 million people living along Colorado's Front Range can expect to pay more for the privilege of turning on the tap in the new year.
Aurora, Denver, Fort Collins and Lafayette have already approved
increased water rates or surcharges for 2003 because of the
drought.
And seven cities are studying rate hikes, or have increases pending
before their city councils. Those cities include Boulder, Broomfield, Colorado Springs, Greeley, Louisville, Pueblo and Thornton.
For others, the weather in 2003 will be the deciding factor.
"If next year we have to go to a total ban on outdoor watering,
that would cut our revenues in half," said Kelly DiNatale,
Westminster's water resources manager. "Then we would not be able
to meet our operating costs."
For cities that have already approved increases, the rates and surcharges vary widely.
Aurora, for example, plans to raise water rates 15 percent
beginning Jan. 1, from $2.04 per 1,000 gallons to $2.35.
Fort Collins, on the other hand, will use a different approach
known as an inclining rate. Water bills will rise as the rate of
usage increases. Conservative water users will see their bills
increase by less than 1 percent next year, while heavy water users
will pay up to 30.8 percent more.
The rate increases are designed to help communities deal with
the financial realities of this year's drought. Water districts and
city-owned utilities experience sharp declines in water sales
during droughts because less water is available.
The city of Denver projects a $22 million shortfall in
water revenues next year. Denver Water will raise rates 3.5 percent
on Jan. 1 as part of a previously planned increase unrelated to the
drought. But it also plans a drought surcharge, similar to a
surcharge now in place designed to reduce usage 30 percent.
Denver Water now charges $1.53 per 1,000 gallons.
Several cities have indicated they plan to buy more water to
better cope with future droughts. Many will need millions of
dollars to add water to their systems.
"We're looking at rate increase, in part, to provide funds to
acquire more water to help during drier periods," said Tom Phare,
Louisville's director of public works.
![]() COLORADO'S DROUGHT RESOURCES |
Previous Stories:
- September 18, 2002: Denver Water Board Makes Changes To Its Restrictions
- September 9, 2002: Keeping Trees, Shrubs Alive
- September 5, 2002: Drought Killing Trees, Forcing Early Color Change
- August 30, 2002: Drought-Enduring Shrubs, Perennials For Your Garden
- August 26, 2002: Drought Could Bring Early Change To Aspen
- August 5, 2002: Experts: Don't Compare Current Drought To Anasazi Drought
- July 31, 2002: Scientists Say Yellow Jackets To Be Out In Force
- July 31, 2002: Northglenn Now On Mandatory Water Restrictions
- July 25, 2002: Doesn't Once-A-Month Lawn Watering Sound Nice?
- July 23, 2002: Antero Reservoir Draining Begins
- July 17, 2002: State's Best Fishing Spot Could Be Drained
- July 17, 2002: In Morrison? Don't Drink The Water
- June 14, 2002: When In Drought, Learn To Water Wisely
- May 20, 2002: Highlands Ranch Announces Water-Reduction Program
- May 15, 2002: Drought May Extinguish Fireworks
- May 14, 2002: Miller Moths Arriving Early This Year
- May 8, 2002: Denver Water Calls For Voluntary Reductions
- March 22, 2002: Cities Consider Water Rationing
Copyright 2003 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.









