The Process
At the end of 2018, Marana Water began the process to evaluate and update our water and wastewater rates and fees. After a competitive selection process, we engaged with Raftelis to be our financial consultant. We began with a kick-off meeting in October 2018 where we set the goals, objectives, and overall scope for the study. After internal review, on June 18, 2019 the draft plan was presented to the Town Council. The outreach period begins in September with several community meetings and open houses all leading up to the Public Hearing to approve the rates on October 15, 2019. This five year rate plan is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2020.
over the past month we have been out in the community sharing the information from our study. Check out some pictures below.
![IMG_6353[1].JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cc191ce4b0f886f4762582/1571184542601-Z6ZXKKGHNXHKII4NQNQZ/IMG_6353%5B1%5D.JPG)
![IMG_0060[1].JPG](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/54cc191ce4b0f886f4762582/1571184563297-HMYB8RJM73PU8YHR4U93/IMG_0060%5B1%5D.JPG)
1. Securing current and future water resources
2. Funding system improvements
3. Funding preventative maintenance programs
4. Develop and fund a reserve policy
5. Ensure timely payment of annual debt obligations
6. Develop rates that provide revenue stability and promote conservation
Five-Year Plan
This study prepares a five-year rate plan for water and wastewater rates. The chart below shows the entire plan until 2024. These rates include thoughtful scheduled maintenance programs as well as overall cost adjustments we are expecting over time. By preparing a long term rate plan, we are able to plan for larger maintenance and infrastructure projects, as well as keeping our reserve fund healthy for any unforeseen projects. Marana Water is dedicated to ensuring the high level of service our customers have come to expect, and this rate study will help us meet that goal.
Bill Comparison
Our average customer bill is a 5/8” size water meter that uses 7,000 gallons of water and 5,236 of sewer consumption each month. The example to the right shows a sample bill comparing our current rates to the proposed new rates.
The structure of the bill will not change. There will still be monthly flat/minimum charges for both water and sewer, and consumption charges. The consumption charges are per 1,000 gallons. In the example, the water consumption total is calculated by $3.11 x 7. We also have a Groundwater Resource Fee that is calculated per 1,000 gallons. This fee helps us to purchase the water we need to meet customer demand.
Residential sewer customers are billed using their average water use in December, January, and February, or their monthly water consumption, whichever is lower. All other Marana sewer customers will be billed their monthly water use. Pima County sewer customers are all billed the winter average.
The monthly impact to our typical customer is $2.56 for both water and sewer. This impact will change depending on water use each month. For more information, check our the Rates and Fees page.
NON-RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS
