HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Rate Increase Notice - Residential Sewer Service
Dear Customer,
A rate increase of 8.9 percent was approved by the Otay Water District (District) as part of the annual
budget adoption process completed in June 2019. With this rate increase the typical District residential sewer
customer will see their bill decrease by $5.71 due to the reduction in winter average consumption (winter
average) water usage (see the average bill calculation on the reverse side). The new sewer rates, fees,
and charges will apply to service billed beginning January 1, 2020. Depending on your billing cycle,
the new rates and charges will apply to sewer service as early as the beginning of December 2019.
This letter serves as a 30-day notice of rate increases.
On October 3, 2018, the District’s Board of Directors adopted a five-year schedule of rates in compliance
with applicable provisions of law. This sewer rate increase is within the limits of the approved five-year
schedule of rates, fees, and charges.
The District is a revenue-neutral public agency. Your sewer bill reflects only those charges sufficient to
support your sewer service. To continue providing sewer service, the District must adjust its rates, fees, and
charges for service, and pass-through costs from the District’s power, treatment, and disposal providers to
its customers that reflect the full cost of providing the service. Power is provided by San Diego Gas and
Electric. Treatment and disposal providers
include the County of San Diego and the
City of San Diego (City). This year, the
increase is a direct result of higher
treatment fees from the City, as well as,
replacing the District’s aging sewer
infrastructure. The increase in the City’s
fee is due to its plan to develop a Pure
Water treatment facility to satisfy state and
federal law.
The District’s costs include
inspection and preventative maintenance
of the public sewer system and
replacement of aging sewer infrastructure.
These actions protect the public’s
investment in the public sewer system,
minimize maintenance costs, reduce the
possibility of pipeline breaks, blockages or
spills, and keep sewer rates affordable.
The District works diligently to
reduce internal costs and continues to be
one of the lowest cost sewer service
providers in San Diego County. For more
information about the District, please visit
otaywater.gov, email info@otaywater.gov,
or call 619-670-2222.
Notice of Residential
Sewer Rate Increase
NOTICE OF SEWER RATES, FEES, AND CHARGES EFFECTIVE
FOR SEWER SERVICE BILLED IN JANUARY 2020
Si requiere asistencia en español con referencia a esta notificación, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.
Otay Water District
2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978-2004
619-670-2222
otaywater.gov
Dedicated to Community Service
109.49
82.33
72.91
71.76
71.32
71.09
71.05
69.92
67.12
58.71
56.86
56.17
55.97
55.25
52.74
51.90
51.59
50.88
48.75
48.20
48.13
47.90
40.47
38.68
38.58
37.80
28.92
28.64
$- $20 $40 $60 $80 $100 $120
Del Mar
*Rancho Santa Fe
Encinitas
Olivenhain
*Oceanside
Fallbrook
Rainbow
Padre Dam
Ramona
*Valley Center - MG
Solana Beach
Vista
Escondido
Buena
Imperial Beach
*Poway
Lemon Grove
La Mesa
Coronado, City
Chula Vista
*San Diego, City
*El Cajon
Vallecitos
National City
San Diego, County
Otay Water District
*Carlsbad
Leucadia
PROJECTED AVERAGE SEWER BILLS
BY AGENCY EFFECTIVE FY 2020
Otay's estimated
average bill
* At the time of the
survey in July 2019,
the member agency's
FY 2020 rate was
unavailable. The
estimated increase is
based on the other
agency's FY 2020
known rate increases.
The maximum sewer bill is $104.27. This is calculated using the maximum winter average consumption
of 35.29 HCF.
Prior Current New
Sewer Rate (per unit) $2.77 $2.67 $2.93
Fixed System Charges
(monthly)
$17.08 $14.91 $16.38
The District uses the customer’s winter average in determining the Sewer Service bill. The winter
average is defined as the units1 of water billed from January through April of the previous year divided by
four. New customers will have a winter average of 8.6 HCF1 until a winter average can be established. A
15 percent usage discount is applied to all sewer customers to acknowledge that not all water purchased
goes to the sewer system.
(Sewer Rate x Winter Average2 x 85%3) + System Charges = Total Monthly Bill
The monthly fixed sewer system charge for the average residential customer based on 85% of the
applicable year’s winter average is in the table below. From the prior year, which represents the average
monthly charge in 2018, to the new charge effective January 1, 2020. The overall average monthly sewer
charge has decreased 4.2 percent.
Sewer Rate Winter Average4 System Charges Total
Prior $2.77 9.5 $17.08 $39.45
Current $2.67 12.6 $14.91 $43.51
New $2.93 8.6 $16.38 $37.80
The maximum sewer bill is $104.27. This is calculated using the maximum winter average consumption
of 35.29 HCF.
1. One hundred cubic feet (HCF) equals 748 gallons or one “unit” of water.
2. The winter average is defined as the units of water billed from January through April of the previous year divided by
four.
3. A 15 percent usage discount is applied to all sewer customers to acknowledge that not all water purchased goes
through the sewer system.
4. The winter average represents the actual monthly average for all residential users from January through April of the
previous year.
This information reflects only changes to rates. For a comprehensive listing, please see the
Otay Water District’s Code of Ordinances at otaywater.gov.
Footnotes
Average Monthly Bill using Winter Average Units1
Rates and Charges
Residential Sewer Service Bill Calculation
Si requiere asistencia en español con referencia a esta notificación, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.