Birch Bay Water and Sewer District

 Rate Increase at the District

Effective May 1, 2008, water and sewer rates will increase by 3.95% at Birch Bay Water and Sewer District, causing a customer with average usage to see an increase of $2.88 per bi-monthly billing ($1.44 per month).  The last rate increase at the District occurred in January 2005.  Since that time, inflation has increased over 10 percent.   

The District’s operations and maintenance (O&M) costs are projected to increase 8.42% in 2008, with the costs of brass for meter and pipe materials, fuel and power leading the way. The price of brass has risen 10 % each of the last two years and fuel prices are now 25% to 30 % higher per gallon compared to 2007.  The District’s costs for power are projected to rise approximately 15% in 2008. 

Other areas of cost increases for the District include required bi-annual audits from the state, cross connection control and insurance.  Wastewater treatment costs have risen due to an increase of fats, oils and grease (FOG) entering the system.  As a result, the District is spending more money to remove, transport and treat FOG from the District’s sanitary sewer system. 

The District notes that practicing water conservation at home can help to minimize or even reduce the bi-monthly cost of water and sewer services.  In addition, keeping FOG from going down the drain can help reduce cost impacts to the District which can help reduce future rate increases.