ALBUQUERQUE, June 21 – The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority’s governing board this week approved 5-percent rate adjustments that will go into effect in the 2016 and 2018 fiscal years.   Another 5-percent rate adjustment had already been approved for FY 2014.  However, water and sewer rates will remain unchanged for the next 12 months.
 
The rate increases will have varying impacts on Water Authority customers, depending on customer class and meter size.  However, residential customers will see an average increase of about three dollars per month on their water and sewer bill for each of the rate adjustments.  In FY 2014, (which begins July 1, 2013) the average monthly bill will go from $45 to $48; in FY 2016 it will go from $48 to $51; and in FY 2018 it will go from $51 to $54.  The Water Authority’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.
 
“We are trying to spread the rate adjustments over time, and give as much forewarning as possible, in order to mitigate their impact ,” said Water Authority Board Chairman Ken Sanchez, who also serves as City Councilor for District 1.  “These increases are absolutely necessary for us to tackle our infrastructure needs moving forward.”
 
The Water Authority’s long-term Asset Management Plan calls for an increase in annual capital spending from $42 million now to $76 million in 10 years in order to tackle a growing infrastructure renewal backlog.   Some $250 million in rehabilitation and upgrades are required at the Southside Water Reclamation (i.e., sewage treatment) Plant, and hundreds of miles of water and sewer pipeline are at high risk of failure and must be replaced.
 
Despite the planned increases, water and sewer rates for Water Authority customers will remain relatively low compared to other utilities in the region.  Residential users in Santa Fe pay about $79 per month, Rio Rancho users pay about $71, and Colorado Springs users pay about $70.

“Our goal is to deliver the best possible service at the lowest reasonable cost to our customers,” Sanchez said.  “The planned rate adjustments are consistent with that philosophy, and will allow us to be more cost-effective as we focus more on preventive maintenance and less on costly emergency repairs.”