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By John Hernandez
Arizona Water Company will be raising their water rates and charges for water service in San Manuel, Oracle, and SaddleBrooke Ranch as well as their water services around the state.
On Aug. 5, 2011, Arizona Water Company filed an application with the Arizona Corporation Commission for the approval of these permanent adjustments to the rates and charges for water service. The rate adjustments were authorized on Feb. 20, 2013, which will be effective Mar. 1. Arizona Water Company customers will receive a notice of the rate changes and service charges with their bill.
According to the company Company, a monthly bill for a residential customer in the San Manuel water system with a 5/8-inch by ¾-inch meter and average use of 7,139 gallons per month will increase from $43.61 to $51.94, which is an increase of $8.33 per month or 19.10 percent.
The average use figure of 7,139 was based on the average use in 2011. Most residential water meters are 5/8-inch by ¾-inch.
Oracle residents are part of the Falcon Valley (Oracle) water system. The average resident uses 5,140 gallons per month. Their bill will increase from $43.05 to $46.45, an increase of $3.40 per month or 7.90 percent.
The residential customer in the Falcon Valley (SaddleBrooke Ranch) system uses on average 3,405 gallons per month and will see their water bill rise from $28.96 to $36.97, an increase of $8.01 per month or 27.66 percent.
The new community rates are as follows:
San Manuel: 0-3,000 gal. – $2.1700; 3,001-10,000 gal. – $4.4520
Oracle: 0-3,000 gal. – $2.6050; 3,001-10,000 gal. – $5.4650
SaddleBrooke: 0-3,000 gals.- $2.6050; 3,001-10,000 gal.- $5.4650
The rate for gallons consumed over 10,000 is $6.2370 per 1,000 gallons in San Manuel. In Oracle and SaddleBrooke Ranch, it is $7.2460.
The minimum charge for San Manuel is $27, up from $21.52 last year. Oracle’s will go from $19.83 to $26.94 and SaddleBrooke Ranch from $15 to $26.94.
Arizona Water Company offers free water conservation programs to its customers. The single-family provides free water audits to residences that address water conservation. A representative from Arizona Water will conduct a water use audit for any customer requesting the service. A written conservation recommendation will be furnished to the customer as well as pamphlets with conservation information.
A similar program is available for apartment complexes and condominiums as well as non-residential customers. Pamphlets with water saving tips will be available at Arizona Water Company offices.
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