Los Alamos Reporter

County Council To Hold Public Hearings on Water and Sewer Rates Nov. 26

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COUNTY NEWS

Los Alamos County Council will consider the adoption of multi-year increases to the Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU) water and sewer rates at two public hearings.  Beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26 the public hearings will be conducted during the council meeting in Council Chambers located at 1000 Central Ave., Los Alamos, NM.

On Oct. 16 the Board of Public Utilities voted to approve the rate increases, giving the green light to forward ordinances 02-299 for water rates and 02-298 for sewer rates to the Council for possible adoption. Both ordinances are structured to increase rates yearly over the next three years.  Specifically, water rates would increase each year 5, 4.25 and 4 percent respectively.  Sewer rates would increase each year 6, 3, and 2 percent respectively.

“These complex water and sewer infrastructure systems are essential to the economic prosperity and public health of our community,” advised Utilities Manager Philo S. Shelton, III.  “These increases will allow us to replace our aging infrastructure, especially the White Rock wastewater treatment plant.”

To educate the community on the need for these rate increases, the DPU aired a documentary on Los Alamos PAC 8 regarding the troubled condition of the water and sewer infrastructure nationwide.  Additionally, two public meetings on Los Alamos’ infrastructure challenges were held in White Rock and the Los Alamos townsite in October. More information, including the draft ordinances and frequently asked questions are available on the DPU website at https://ladpu.com/2019Infrastructure-Rates

Questions can be directed to the Customer Care Center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 505 662 8333 or CustomerCare@lacnm.us.

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The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) operates the county-owned electric, gas, water & wastewater systems under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Utilities. The Board meets in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave., Los Alamos, NM every third Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. The DPU is funded by rates paid for electric, gas, water and wastewater services and auxiliary fees, and has provided the community with these services for more than 50 years. CustomerCare@lacnm.us | 505.662.8333 | www.losalamosnm.us/government/departments/UTILITIES.

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