Information Regarding TMWA's Proposed Rate Adjustment

At its April 19, 2017 meeting, TMWA’s Board of Directors approved a series of single-digit rate adjustments to be implemented over the next five years. The first of these increases was scheduled to go into effect in May, 2017. The increase was the first in over three years and is needed to meet the cost of providing water service to our customers. The average residential customer’s water bill is expected to increase by $1.42 (3%) per month starting May 2017 with an additional monthly increase of $1.47 (3%) in May 2018. The TMWA Board of Directors will also have the option of implementing 2.5% increases in 2019, 2020 and 2021, if necessary. TMWA continues to monitor the effectiveness of our rate structures, and, as necessary, makes adjustments that better reflect the costs associated with treating, delivering, and maintaining the high-quality water that our customers expect.

To view the Rate Adjustment Proposal approved by TMWA’s Board of Directors, click here.

Below is a list of public meetings TMWA held to provide information and collect customer feedback regarding the rate adjustment. Feedback was presented to the TMWA Board of Directors before they voted on the rate adjustment proposal.

There were also several opportunities for public comment during TMWA’s Board of Directors and Standing Advisory Committee meetings.

Customers who could not attend a meeting, but wanted to comment, could do so by sending an e-mail to tmwaboard@tmwa.com. They were also able to contact us with their questions or comments at 834-8080.

Customer Open Houses:

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Sparks Police Department—Training Room – Details
Thursday, February 23, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Spanish Springs Library – Details
Wednesday March 1, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – California Building in Idlewild Park – Details
Thursday, March 2, 2017 – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – South Valleys Library – Details

Board of Directors Meetings:

Wednesday, March 15, 2017 – (first public hearing) 10:00 a.m. – 745 Fourth St., Sparks – Details
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 – (final public hearing) 10:00 a.m. – 745 Fourth St., Sparks – Details

Standing Advisory Committee Meetings (SAC):

Tuesday, February 7, 2017 – 3:00 p.m. – 1355 Capital Blvd., Reno – Details
Tuesday, March 7, 2017 – 3:00 p.m. – 1355 Capital Blvd., Reno – Details

Rate Adjustment FAQs

Because TMWA is a not-for-profit community-owned water provider, it is important that our revenues cover the cost of providing water service to our customers. Although water use has gone down, over 90 percent of our costs remain fixed regardless of the amount of water used.
How can customers get more information and provide feedback?

There will be an extensive public process allowing our customers ample opportunity to provide feedback. This will include eight public meetings; including customer open houses, Board of Directors meetings and the Standing Advisory Committee meetings. Customers are encouraged to attend any of these meetings. All concerns and feedback will be presented to the TMWA Board of Directors.

The increase would be effective with customers’ May 2017 water bill.

Yes, under the current proposal all customer classes, including residential, commercial and irrigation, would receive the same percentage of increase.

All western water utilities share a common issue in which the result of conservation is lower revenue; however operational costs remain nearly the same regardless of the amount of water used.

TMWA always encourages responsible water use. It is our responsibility to plan and maintain a sound water supply for the future. Rather than looking at rates vs. conservation, we need to focus on the value of responsible water use efforts – being wise with our precious resource helps maintain a healthy river ecosystem, ensures adequate supply for ourselves and future generations and delays the need for costly infrastructure improvements.

The answer is no. Some people mistakenly believe that when our customers use less water through conservation, the water saved is used for growth. That is not what happens. Unused water is retained for our drought reserves or is released to benefit river system health. Reselling of conserved water to serve new houses or businesses does not occur. For more information, see our Topic Paper here.

If TMWA’s revenues are not in line with the cost of service, a rate adjustment proposal is presented to the Standing Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors. Based on the utility’s financial performance and cost studies, the Board then determines the timing and size of a potential rate adjustment, just as any business would do.