Oliver council is wracking its brains to come up with a more equitable system for 143 non-farm irrigators.
Council studied a report by Municipal Manager Tom Szalay who gave members some direction on setting water fees.
In 2012, the Town’s total revenue for domestic water services was approximately $1.5 million (67 per cent), compared to $762,000 (33 per cent) from irrigation customers.
Szalay said Town staff was approached by several customers following recent changes to water billing for non-farm irrigation. Some believe they should not be charged for their first half acre, while others believe the rate ($715 per acre) is too high compared to the farm irrigation rate ($209 per acre).
It was explained to customers that the $715 charge would pay for 1,254 cubic metres of water at the current rate of $0.57 per cubic metre. This would be enough to irrigate one acre of land to a depth of approximately 0.31 metres over the growing season.
Szalay noted the charge of $715 per acre would provide enough metered water to grow lawn on less than one third of an acre of land.
But some customers say they don’t have one third of their property covered by lawn, and they use significantly less water than they are being charged for.
Szalay said it was agreed that the only fair way to charge for water actually used for non-farm irrigators would be to meter these services.
“This approach would be more fair and would reward customers who have taken meaningful irrigation conservation measures.”
Staff are including metering for non-farm irrigation use in the draft 2014 water budget. Possible funding for meters could come from borrowing or anticipated water fund surplus revenues.
Some council members previously suggested reducing unmetered, non-farm irrigation rates.
Szalay said if meters are installed, the default rate would equal the current domestic metered rate in effect at the time.
A rate reduction approach may be in the order of 10 to 15 per cent (between $0.48 per cubic metre and $0.51 per cubic metre, compared to the current rate of $0.57 per cubic metre).
Councillor Jack Bennest said the Town should have the opportunity to say to owners that meters can be installed at a cost. “It’s better than being extremely arbitrary.”
Bennest said metering everyone makes sense, and it will show people’s frugality with water.
“It would solve a lot of problems and might end the complaints, but very expensive.”
He told council that the Town should provide the option to those with non-farm irrigation to install their own meter in an effort to cut down on their expenses.
“If people think they don’t need a meter because they don’t use that much water . . . prove it.”
Mayor Ron Hovanes said if people are disgruntled, they should be given a choice. But the Town has to come up with a fair price for these non-farm irrigators.
But Szalay commented that high water users will never elect to have a meter.
Council will continue to discuss the matter in upcoming water budget deliberations.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
