City Manager's Monthly Message
March 2010
What's Water Worth?
The City of Wichita Water Utility sells drinking water to Derby as well as many other area cities and several rural water districts. Wichita recently announced its need to raise rates 15% effective June 1.
As a wholesale customer of Wichita’s, the City of Derby resells the water to Derby residents and businesses. Derby provides the pipes that distribute water all over the city and provides maintenance, billing, and customer service.
The water originates from underground equus beds north of Wichita around the Halstead area, as well as from Cheney Lake out west.
A few years ago, Wichita embarked on an expensive project to ensure the long–term regional water supply from the equus beds. Recently, Wichita took measures to fight zebra mussels at Cheney Lake. Both efforts required millions of dollars.
Both the quality and quantity of water must be planned for 20–50 years out, or else one or both could be in jeopardy, as cities like Atlanta, Georgia have realized recently after a couple years of drought.
You might recall that Derby lowered water rates in a couple years ago. At the same time, we restructured rates to ensure greater equity among our residents. Currently, Derby’s rates are well below the regional average. Our monthly base rate of $11.46 (includes 2,000 gallons) is lower than the $13.87 regional average.
Because your monthly utility bill includes not just water but also sewer (wastewater) charges, you might be interested to know that Derby’s sewer rates also are below regional averages. Our monthly base rate of $15.10 compares favorably to the regional average of $17.79.
If Wichita increase rates, Derby most surely will have to do the same. Other cities in the region will as well.
Many cities are planning or are in the middle of major capital projects to improve their water and/or wastewater infrastructure. Municipal treatment plants are required by federal regulators to take increasingly onerous measures to protect the rivers. Such improvements cost money, which means many cities increased rates last year, and others plan to increase rates in the next few years.
While I am disappointed that Wichita officials let their financial situation get out of hand before setting the ship back on course, I also understand that providing quality water over the long-term takes real money–just like safe bridges, quality roads, and good public education.
Questions or comments? Contact the Web Manager.
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