Iowa Town Considers Water Bill Hike

Residents of Windsor Heights, Iowa, may see an increase in their 2008 monthly water bills due to a higher-than-average number of water main breaks in 2007. The rate increase may cost the average household up to an additional $5.25 per month.

The city experienced 21 water main breaks in 2007 and has already invested $63,000 in making repairs, according to numbers provided by Des Moines Water Works (DMWW).

"There have been a few more [breaks] than we normally see," said Public Works Director John Wiedman, adding that local mains are outdated and struggling to meet capacity. "We've still got some 4-in. lines in town. They've been here for years, and we need to start replacing them. Most of them are 45 to 50 years old... Some have probably been here since the town became a town" in 1941.

The 4-in. mains Wiedman mentioned are half the size of typical water mains installed today.

"Many areas in the city have seen frequent water main breaks, causing citizens to be without water for several hours," said City Administrator Marketa Oliver.

Randy Beavers of DMWW said bigger lines would mean better fire protection. "Typically, you want about a line that's 8 in. in diameter in order to provide adequate water supply for fire personnel," he said. "That's our minimum standard." City Fire Chief Christopher Cross said the department is "adequately supplied" but welcomes any upgrades.

The city of Windsor Heights announced its water main replacement plans--set to begin July 1--in its January 2008 resident newsletter. The rate increase amounts to about $1 per thousand gal of water used by residential customers.

"In the past, the city has looked at problematic areas and collected the capital money to do it," Oliver said. "but the capital amount we've been charging is not enough to meet the needs we have." The current water utility rate generates $30,000 for capital improvements annually, while newly proposed rates would bring in an additional $125,000 to $130,000 per year. Waterline repair costs range from $135,626 to $271,998.

The local city council is also set to discuss storm water rate adjustments. The current $2 per month rate would jump to $3.50 per month to help address runoff issues and fund the $75,000 dredging of Walnut Creek. The dredging would clear the creek and thus prevent flooding upstream, according to Oliver.

Source: The Des Moines Register