Water Authority schedules informational meetings before rate hike takes effect

By Conor Shine

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013 | 10:35 a.m.

After the Southern Nevada Water Authority approved a rate increase last month, the agency has scheduled public workshops to reach out to residents before the hike takes effect in January.

The SNWA board unanimously approved gradual increases in usage rates and infrastructure charges each of the next three years to help pay off debt for roughly $3 billion in construction that’s expected to balloon in 2017.

Under the approved plan, the average residential customer would see a water bill increase of $1.04 per month next year, topping out at an extra $4.92 per month in 2017.

The proposal was put together by a 22-member committee of community and business leaders, who explored more than a dozen rate structures before endorsing the one ultimately approved by the board.

The plan must still be approved by the seven local member agencies that make up the Southern Nevada Water Authority before it can start next year.

Residents wanting to learn more about the rate increases can attend one of four SNWA public workshops this month. Each meeting starts at 6 p.m.

• Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Las Vegas Valley Water District, 1001 S. Valley View Blvd.

• Monday, Oct. 14, at Enterprise Library, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave.

• Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway

• Tuesday, Oct. 22, at North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North