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Resident warns metered water customers may face high sewer bills; city staff say code and funding constrain options
Summary
A resident told council newly metered customers could face large sewer bills unless eligible for flat-rate sewer; staff said moving to a flat-rate sewer would require higher sewer charges to maintain plant operations and noted broader policy and reuse issues could raise costs in the future.
During public comment, resident Dawn Stout described receiving a new metered water bill in May and said the city historically allowed customers on metered water to opt into a flat-rate sewer charge, which keeps sewer costs predictable for large outdoor water users. "I was placed on a water meter in May," Stout said, explaining she researched code provisions and later confirmed with staff she could be placed on flat-rate sewer but warned other newly metered residents may not be aware of the option.
Stout presented numerical illustrations showing how exterior watering can sharply increase a metered sewer bill and said a household that reaches 50,000–100,000 gallons in a billing period can see sewer charges that are substantially higher than a flat-rate sewer account.
City staff responded in later reports that a move to a universal flat sewer rate would require offsetting revenue to operate the sewer plant; utilities staff said flat-rate shifts would likely require higher citywide sewer charges to cover treatment costs and infrastructure. Staff also noted longer-term regulatory and water-rights discussions (Humboldt River Basin and potential reuse/offset requirements) that could add cost and complexity for sewer operations in coming years.
Councilmembers said they expect more inquiries after meters and invoices are issued and asked staff to prepare clarifying information for the public. City staff said they are reviewing code language and will provide an executive summary to the council explaining the rate structure and any code-based eligibility for flat-rate sewer accounts.
