City Might Cut Reclaimed Water Rates To Promote Use

By ELLEN GEDALIUS The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jun 29, 2007

TAMPA - The city wants to lower reclaimed water rates in an attempt to persuade people to hook up to the system.

"We want to entice people away from using potable water for irrigation," said Steve Daignault, the city's administrator of public works and utility services. "It is perhaps the very best way we can keep our potable rates down: by getting people off of potable."

South Tampa Area Reclaimed is a program that distributes reclaimed water to some south Tampa neighborhoods. Fewer than half the people who initially told the city they wanted to hook up to the system followed through.

Part of the reason: Reclaimed water rates and drinking water rates are about the same, therefore offering little financial incentive for people to switch.

Now, though, as the drinking water supplies become increasingly scarce, city officials want more people to use the reclaimed water to water their lawns.

The city has proposed a drinking water rate increase that would double the price within five years. The council will consider the proposal in August.

Lowering the cost of reclaimed water would widen the price gap.

Daignault proposes charging $1.20 per 748 gallons of reclaimed water. The existing price is $1.34.

Regular drinking water rates for the average customer range from $1.07 to $1.24 per 748 gallons. Under the city's proposal, the new range would be $1.18 to $1.38. Those who use more water pay more.

The city also wants to strike deals with large water users in which companies might be willing to pay for the infrastructure to get reclaimed water in exchange for a low water rate.

Council members on Thursday seemed to support the measures.

"The rate and the cost did not equate a savings to the customer," Councilman Charlie Miranda said. "We're going a step in the right direction."

The council will consider the drinking water and reclaimed water increases Aug. 9.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.