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Water Rate Increase

Overview

The Village of Ashwaubenon has been working with the with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), the state regulating entity for water utilities, since 2021 to develop and implement a new water rate. This water rate increase will be the first increase since 2006. Over the past 3 to 4 years, the Village of Ashwaubenon Water Utility rate of return has decreased to a point whereby a full rate case was deemed necessary by the PSC. As such, through working with financial consultants and the PSC, it was determined that an increase of water revenues was warranted in order to meet the rate of return set by the PSC. During the rate review process, the Village, in working with the PSC, requested that any rate increase be phased in over the course of two years. The PSC was receptive to the request and has approved a rate phase-in approval over the course of 2022 and 2023 such that the rate impact to our customers will be mitigated over the course of two years. Compare the existing rates to the Phase I rate increase (2022) to the Phase II water rate increase (2023).

While nobody likes to experience rate increases, rest assured, the Village has been diligent in adjusting its utility rates over the past number of years. Starting in 2011, the Ashwaubenon Sewer Utility had double digit rate increases as part of the NEW Water (Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District) treatment plant improvement projects. This particular project rate impact lasted through the 2018 season. During that time, the Ashwaubenon Water Utility maintained its current water rate so as to minimize rate impacts to our customers. Upon completion of the sewer rate increases, the Village was able to maintain a couple years of relatively stable rates while working through the latest review process of its water rates. Moving forward, a water increase in 2022 and 2023 will be recognized to bring the water utility finances back in line with PSC determinations.

 

What Does This Mean for My Water and Sewer Utility Bill?

A standard utility bill from the Village of Ashwaubenon has three sections, a water utility cost, a sewer utility cost and a storm water utility cost. Added together, these three costs in total are your utility bill. As such, a certain percent increase in one of the three utility rates does not correspond to that percentage increase over your entire bill. 

This increase would impact the water utility portion of your bill only. Let’s take a look at an example of a residential utility bill in the Village of Ashwaubenon with the current utility rates and the proposed utility rates with the full water rate increase after two years. Below is a table summarizing the current rates with the proposed water rates inserted alongside. Let’s take a look at a comparison of an average household (5/8-inch meter and standard lot) usage of 15,000 gallons per quarter to see the impact of the full water rate increase on the total utility bill.

Changes in the bill are colored red.

Under the current Phase I rates, a total utility bill for one quarter (3 months) would include: 

  • 5/8" water meter charge of $24.40

  • 5/8" sewer service charge of $20.19
  • Public Fire Protection change of $9.69

  • A water volume charge of 15,000 gallons at $4.30/1,000 gallons = $64.50

  • A sewer volume charge of 15,000 gallons at $5.56/1,000 gallons = $83.40
  • A storm utility charge of $12.50

    Total current bill: $200.48

Under the proposed 2023 Phase II water rate increase, a total utility bill for one quarter (3 months) would include:

  • 5/8" water meter charge of $24.81

  • 5/8" sewer service charge of $20.19
  • Public Fire Protection charge of $9.69

  • A water volume charge of 15,000 gallons at $4.70/1,000 gallons = $70.50

  • A sewer volume charge of 15,000 gallons at $5.56/1,000 gallons = $83.40
  • A storm utility charge of $12.50

    Total proposed bill: $221.09

The impact of the 2023 Phase II water increase on an average bill would be $6.41 per quarter or about $2.14 per month or approximately a 3.2% increase of a total utility bill from Phase I water rates to Phase II rates.

Example Bill

Phase II Implementation

In terms of schedule, the Phase I water rate increase did take effect on June 21, 2022. The Phase II water rate increase will occur on April 26, 2023. The Phase II water rate increase will be less than the Phase I water rate increase.

Water & Sewer Rates

Meter Size Meter Charge (Water) Service Charge (Sewer) Public Fire Protection
5/8" $24.81 $20.19 $9.69
1" $39 $60.57 $24.30
1 1/2" $65 $100.96 $48.30
2" $97 $141.34 $77.40
3" $150 $222.11 $144.90
4" $205 $302.87 $241.50
6" $325 $464.41 $483.00
8" $450 - $774.00
Effective April 26, 2023 1st QTR - 2022 June 21, 2022

 

Water Volume Charge - Effective April 26, 2023
First 100,000 gallons used  each quarter - $4.70 Per 1,000 gallons
Next 300,000 gallons used each quarter - $4.55 Per 1,000 gallons
Over 400,000 gallons used each quarter - $4.45 Per 1,000 gallons

Sewer Volume Charge - Effective 1st Quarter 2022
Non-Restaurant Rate - $5.56 per 1,000 gallons
Restaurant Rate - $6.37 per 1,000 gallons

Storm Water Rate per ERU (Equivalent Runoff Unit) - Effective August 31, 2012
$12.50 per ERU/USAGE per Quarter

Town of Lawrence Sewer Rates - Effective 3rd Quarter 2015
Volume Charge - $4.28 per 1,000 gallons
Customer Charge - $71.85

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