Los Alamos Reporter

County: Two Public Hearings On Water Rate Increases Scheduled For May 20 And June 30

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Two public hearings on proposed water rate increases are scheduled for May 20 and June 30, and water customers of the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) are encouraged to attend.

The first hearing will be held at the Los Alamos Board of Public Utilities (BPU) meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20. The meeting will be in room 330 on the 3rd floor of the Los Alamos County Municipal Building at 1000 Central Avenue. If the proposed water rate ordinance is approved by the BPU, it will be introduced to the Los Alamos County Council on Tuesday, June 9, prior to a second hearing scheduled for the council meeting on Tuesday, June 30, at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers of the Los Alamos County Municipal Building.

Both public hearings will be held in a hybrid fashion so anyone wishing to join remotely may do so using the link https://ladpu.com/ratehearing .

The DPU is proposing water rate increases covering a two-year period. The purpose is to generate additional revenue to support current operations and build cash reserves required for future infrastructure maintenance and improvements. To comply with DPU financial policies, revenues need to increase by 8% each year to maintain adequate fund balances.

These water rate increases will safeguard an operational, resilient and sound water pumping and delivery system. Future capital water projects, made possible through increased water revenues, will ensure:

  • A sufficient water supply to meet customer demand, including increased needs at LANL and new housing in both White Rock and Los Alamos townsite
  • Infrastructure that supports fire suppression
  • Repair and replacement of aging infrastructure to reduce leaks and water main breaks
  • Continued delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water that meets all federal and state health standards.

If the ordinance is not adopted by County Council, DPU will need to reduce expenses which would likely include delaying critical capital projects. Postponing these projects will accelerate the deterioration of water system infrastructure and ultimately result in a less reliable water utility.

 The DPU maintains a Utility Assistance Program, voluntarily funded through community contributions, to aid qualified, low-income residential families. We recognize that even a small utility bill increase may negatively impact customers facing unexpected hardships, living on fixed incomes, or struggling to financially to meet basic expenses. Learn more about the program at https://ladpu.com/assist .

Would you like to better manage your water use? Visit DPU’s Conserve Our Water web page for tips: https://ladpu.com/h2o .

Answers to frequently-asked-questions about the proposed rate change can be found on DPU’s website under the Proposed Rate Changes section header at https://ladpu.com/rates. 

  • Wed., April 20, 5:30 p.m.: Public hearing at BPU 
  • Tues., June 9, 6:00 p.m.: Formal introduction at County Council  
  • Tues., June 30, 6:00 p.m.: Public hearing at County Council.