Agenda - 06-12-2007-3d - Laserfiche WebLink

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~~ 2.0 (the average peaking factor for the class) by 160/248 (average summer demand of the <1701 square foot subclass divided by average summer demand for the entire class): 1.3 = 160/248 x 2.0 . Multi-Family Individually Metered and Non-Residential 5/8-Inch Meter Accounts -The peaking factors of 1.4 and 1.5 used for these customer classes are the same as those used in the recent rate study report~l~. Sewer Use Factors Sewer system availability fees are based on adjusted water use. The rate study report applied a sewer use factor of 0.875 to all customer classes, which is consistent with OWASA's historic estimate that 87.5 percent of billed water. returns to the sewer system as wastewater. In developing the tiered availability fees, OWASA staff applied different sewer factors to each customer class to better reflect actual differences in seasonal use observed for each group. Sewer use was estimated as the ratio of average winter to average annual water consumption for each class, reflecting the assumption that most winter use occurs indoors and is returned to the sewer system as wastewater, while a substantial portion of summer demand is for outdoor use on lawns and gardens. The inverse relationship between the sewer use factor and peak water demand is apparent in Exhibit 2 and in comparisons among columns 7, 10, and 12 of Exhibit 3. Infiltration/Inflow Combined Sewer Use & I/I Factors Additional adjustment factors were employed in calculating sewer availability fees to account for periodic high flows related to customer peaks, as well as the unwanted entry of stormwater (infiltration and inflow) into the collection system. As noted, these are the same factors used in the recent rate study report (see Exhibits 2 and 4). Unit Capacity Factors The total value of water and sewer backbone assets was determined by adding the value of recently completed major capital improvements and projects that were either underway or programmed for completion within the next two years, to the total value of water and sewer assets reported at the end of FY 96. These "reproduction cost less depreciation" (R.CLD) values had been compiled for the recent rate study report~i~. Additional information is presented in Exhibit 4. IlV.II~LEMENTATION OF NEW FEE STRUCTURE Tiered service availability fees, as outlined in Exhibit 5, were implemented in October 1998 after the proposal had been discussed in several public meetings and news articles. Customer response was generally positive, due to the understandable logic and perceived fairness of the approach. Local housing advocates praised the new fee structure for its benefits to housing affordability. Administration of the tiered fees has required no internal changes at OWASA 5