Utility Rate Update

The Town of Wellington continues to engage with our community's difficult water and wastewater infrastructure needs.  With aging infrastructure, increases in the cost to provide service, and the need to continue to meet the demand of a population that grew rapidly, further rate adjustments are necessary for the Town to remain in compliance with fund balance regulations while also funding essential infrastructure upgrades. 

The Board of Trustees identified a need for a strategic increase in community involvement for the upcoming evaluation of sewer rates. The Wellington Resident Rate Roundtable will serve as a volunteer group of residents to deeply engage and offer feedback about upcoming rate changes. The group will meet 4 times between November and December before making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees on January 11, 2022. 

The Town of Wellington remains committed to providing the most up-to-date information to the community. The difficulty of continued increases is acknowledged and creative solutions continue to be explored. The Board of Trustees will hear a presentation about rates on Tuesday, Oct. 26th. Meeting details are available prior to the meeting by clicking here. 

Rates as of Jan. 1, 2021

Number of Gallons Fee
Base Rate  $66.00
First 15,000 Gallons $4.56 per 1,000
Over 15,000 Gallons $5.70 per 1,000
Over 30,000 Gallons $7.72 per 1,000
  1. Are we raising rates paid by new development?
  2. Is the Town doing anything to slow down growth?
  3. Has the cost of our water gone up?
  4. Does Wellington’s water meet Water Quality Standards?
  5. How do Wellington’s utility rates compare to other communities?
  6. Why is there a tier structure and what does it cost?
  7. Why did the base rate increase?
  8. When was the last time rates were increased?
  9. What is the Town doing with the bulk dispensing water machine?
  10. What is the average water usage per household in Wellington?
  11. What other options will the town pursue to handle the water issues?
  12. What water fees and rates are charged for new construction homes? How do new construction fees help pay for water infrastructure?
  13. Have you considered incentives for xeriscaping current homes and restrictions on landscaping with new builds?
  14. Have you considered conducting a long-term plan that reflects our values and needs for growth and community life?
  15. What kind of impact will the new high school/middle school have on the water issue?
  16. Will we be charged for 7,000 gallons regardless of how much water we use?
  17. Are there other options such as joining another water district or starting our own?
  18. What is the timeline for the water rates decision?
  19. How is the Town engaging residents to provide input on the proposed water rates?
  20. When is the water plant being built?
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  1. Is the Town looking into grant funding for the needed Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Expansions?
  2. Will the bond for the Wastewater Treatment Plant go to the voters or to the trustees?
  3. If voters approve, can sales tax from Marijuana be used for the water fund?
  4. What is a sinking fund and is it necessary?
  5. Why can’t we use general fund money for issues related to water?
  6. What is an enterprise fund?
  7. Is the Town going to slow growth to accommodate for the water and wastewater capacity challenge?
  8. What is an impact fee and how does it work?
  9. What is the 2-year and 5-year plan for addressing treatment capacity issues?
  10. Why do we need an expansion at the Wastewater Treatment Plant?
  11. If growth was just stopped, would we need a wastewater plant expansion?
  12. What will we do between now and 2024 when the wastewater plant comes online?
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Virtual Town Hall Water Rate Increase Presentation

Watch the video below for an explanation of the water rate financial situation. Historical information and the current factors impacting the cost of service are reviewed.

Water Bill Breakdown

Efficient water use is a long-term investment. Your monthly water bill payments are working to ensure our ability to deliver safe reliable drinking water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The following cost categories are associated with water treatment and have been broken out to describes what percent of your bill goes to which category.

  • Raw Water Management Fees (28%) is the largest expense at over 1.6 million dollars annually. The less water residents use, the less water that needs to be cleaned, delivered, and treated in the wastewater process. Even saving 20 gallons of water per resident a month would reduce the record breaking usage seen in recent months. 
  • Debt Service (21%) is the cost associated with loans acquired for necessary facilities such as the water treatment plant expected to be complete in 2024.
  • Operations (20%) includes costs such as lab materials for water testing, sludge removal, and treatment supplies.
  • Indirect Overhead (16%) includes administrative support such as accounting, insurance, GIS mapping, and payroll.
  •  Infrastructure (15%) is the maintenance and upkeep of the complex machines, pipes, and storage containers needed to produce and deliver safe water.

Where Does My Bill Go- Pie Chart of Water Bill Break Down

NPIC Water Delivery Contract Fees

Potable vs non-potable water

October 2020 Rate Increase Notice
November 2020 Rate Reminder
January 2021 Rate Increase Notice

Virtual Town Hall-August 10, 2020 at 6pm

Our Virtual Town Hall was conducted on Monday, August 10 at 6pm. There was a presentation outlining the Water Rate Increase and an opportunity for the public to submit comments and questions to the Board of Trustees. 

You can find the link to the Town Hall recording below:
Virtual Town Hall-Water Rate Increase

During previous Board of Trustee meetings and work sessions, presentations were given to detail the water utility rate increase process. Several scenarios were presented before Scenario Two was passed on Sept. 22, 2020. If you would like to view the presentations, they are available below.

Water Rate Increase Presentations

  1. Virtual Town Hall Water Rate Presentation Aug. 10, 2020.pdf
  2. Utility Rate Presentation-Board of Trustees Meeting July 14, 2020.pptx
  3. Water Rate Model Update Board of Trustees Meeting May 26, 2020.pptx
  4. Water Rate Study Town Update.pptx