Friday, Jan. 7, 2022 | 2 p.m.
The city of North Las Vegas is flattening out its billing structure for residential sewer customers after finding that its existing consumption-based system gave some residents much higher bills than their neighbors elsewhere in the Las Vegas area.
Residents will now pay a flat rate of $21.50 or $37.50 per month, depending on their water usage.
North Las Vegas Utilities Director Tom Brady told the City Council on Wednesday that an analysis last year of sewer rates in local jurisdictions showed a significant disparity in some usage groups, although all residential customers in North Las Vegas will see some relief under the new rates.
North Las Vegas uses a consumption-based model, which calculates sewer bills based on consumption of water and how much sewage moves through the city’s water reclamation facility. But this is more appropriate for outdoor irrigation rather than wastewater generation, Brady said; the city bases its sewer bills on potable water use because homes don’t have specialized sewer meters.
Other jurisdictions use flat rates.
After determining the city could afford to lower bills, officials set a new, two-tiered flat rate.
Customers who use up to 5,000 gallons of water per month will pay $21.50 a month, or $258 a year for sewer. Customers who use more than 5,000 gallons a month will pay $37.50 per month, or $450 a year. New rates will cut bills by up to 37%, the city estimates.
North Las Vegas has more than 67,000 residential sewer customers.
The council voted unanimously for the change, which goes into effect Feb. 1.
“During these high inflationary periods we have found a way… to offer relief to our residents,” said Mayor John Lee. “It might not be as much as people need, but we are (now) equal to everyone else in the valley.”
