Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Government:

Water rate hike one approval away from going into effect

The Las Vegas Valley Water District signed off today on a water rate hike that will see the average customer’s bill increase by about $5 per month by 2017.

The rate increase was proposed by the Southern Nevada Water Authority, the region’s wholesale water provider, and approved by that agency’s board in September.

But before the plan can take effect in January, it needs the approval of three local water districts that deliver water to customers.

Clark County commissioners, who make up the Las Vegas Valley Water District board, heard a short presentation and took several comments from members of the public before unanimously approving the rate increase Tuesday. The Henderson City Council has already approved the increase, and the North Las Vegas Water City Council will vote on the proposal tomorrow.

The rate plan was developed by a 21-member committee of community and business leaders. It spreads the increase evenly between fixed infrastructure charges and usage fees.

Under the plan, a typical single-family home will see its monthly bill, now $34.34, increase by about $1 per month per year, topping out at $39.26 in 2017. Homes that use more water could see their monthly bills rise from $107.47 to $115.63 over the three-year period.

SNWA officials told commissioners today that the increase is necessary to keep up with debt payments on nearly $3 billion worth of construction over the last two decades to build out the valley’s water delivery system.

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