Rates

INTRODUCTION

Water District #3 works hard every day to give our customers a high quality product that exceeds State and Federal Standards at a reasonable price, friendly service, and a great customer experience.

In 2023, the District completed a water rate analysis to evaluate revenue required to support operations and maintenance costs, capital improvements, depreciation and upcoming debt service while maintaining reserve goals.

Results of the rate analysis indicate starting in 2023 a series of base rate increases which are anticipated annually over the next several years, culminating with a minimum bill of $26.92 per month in the year 2023, and $33.20 by 2026, $1.00 additional each year after until 2032 ($39.20).

SINGLE FAMILY DOMESTIC

Minimum monthly base charges include up to 6 units of water (600 cubic feet\4488 gallons) use, water used in excess of this amount will be charged an overage amount below:

MULTI FAMILY DOMESTIC

Multi family is defined as any Duplex, Triplex, Four-Plex, Apartment, Condominium, Mobile Home Park, or Planned Unit Development.

Minimum charge shall be as follows: $29.62 basic charge per meter plus $4.20 per dwelling unit on one meter (example: 62 unit apartment complex is $29.62 + ($4.20 x 62) = $290.02). Consumption shall include 600 CF per unit (example: 62 unit apartment complex is 600 x 62 = 37,200 CF). Any consumption over this amount will be charged an overage amount below:

Note: 1 cubic foot (CF) = 7.48 gallons, 1 unit of water = 100 cubic feet/748 gallons

COMMERCIAL

Includes buildings or any portion there of being used for business purposes, Schools, Churches, Athletic Clubs, and all other water users not specifically described elsewhere in this rate schedule.

Minimum monthly base charges include up to 600 cubic feet of water use, water used in excess of this amount will be charged an overage amount below:

Note: 1 cubic foot (CF) = 7.48 gallons, 1 unit of water = 100 cubic feet/748 gallons

IRRIGATION

Includes Golf Courses, Playgrounds, Parks, Drainage Swales, Church Grounds, Athletic Fields, Pastures, Lawns and/or Gardens and any other undeveloped property.

Note: 1 cubic foot (CF) = 7.48 gallons, 1 unit of water = 100 cubic feet/748 gallons

 CUSTOMERS IN WSA #8 (MANITO AREA)

The rates above shall be used as applicable plus a $1.67 per 100 cubic foot surcharge shall be added to compensate for purchase of water from the City of Spokane.

PRIVATE FIRE SPRINKLER, FIRE HYDRANT AND HOSE SERVICE

Applicable to all customers who have private fire hydrants, sprinkler systems and/or hose connections for fire-fighting purposes. Or for service through a separate line for fire-fighting purposes.

CONNECTION FEES

Connection fees are applicable to all new taps and fees must be paid prior to meter installation. Use of water without first paying the connection fee is subject to a $150 penalty in addition to the connection fee.

Any structure designed to house one family shall be defined as a “dwelling unit.”

Any structure designed to house more than one family or any facility with one meter which is used to provide service to more than one structure will be assessed the connection fee of the greater of either $1,189.00 per dwelling unit or the connection fee of the installed meter.

Commercial and Single Family Living Units are shown below:

Private Fire Protection is shown below:

In addition to the connection fees above, the costs of meters, materials, state approved backflow prevention devices and/or labor for installation will also be charged. Estimates for these costs and other services are available upon request by calling the District office. Full payment for these services must be made in advance of the District undertaking the work.

MISCELLANEOUS FEES

SHUT-OFF SERVICE: $35.00 for shut-off, includes turn on by same customer. An additional $35.00 will be charged for after hours shut-off service between the hours of 3:30 pm to 8:00 am during normal business weekdays and anytime during weekends or holidays.

AFTER HOURS DELINQUENT CHARGE: $120.00 when water is requested to be turned back on (after being shut-off for delinquency) by the District between the hours of 3:30 pm to 8:00 am during normal business weekdays and anytime during weekends or holidays.

FINAL READ FEE: $35.00 for each request to read a water meter outside of normal meter reading schedule to generate a final bill on an account.

RETURNED CHECK FEE: Returned checks shall be charged a minimum of $20.00. Reimbursement to the District for the amount of the check and the returned check fee shall only be made in the form of cash or money order.

PENALTIES: Penalty of 10% on each delinquent charge may be made as directed by the Board of Commissioners. Minimally, a fee of $10.00 shall be charged for each delinquency notice mailed to a customer due to the additional expense incurred by the District for such notice.

INTEREST: Interest on all rates, charges, and penalties certified to the County Treasurer as delinquencies: 12% per year or the highest amount permitted by law, whichever is greater.

RELOCATE METER: A fee to reimburse the District for time, materials, and equipment to move an existing water meter from an inside building location to an outdoor location at the property line.

TEMPORARY WATER USE: A Temporary Water Use Application and Agreement must be executed prior to temporary water use. Charges for water usage are included in the agreement.