“We made a commitment last year to keep rates stable and ensure that ‘growth pays for growth’ when it comes to construction of additional wastewater treatment capacity,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “Today’s vote is a reflection of that commitment and the continuing effort by our wastewater employees to find efficiencies and savings in their division.

“Sewer rate stability will be good for citizens’ pocketbooks, especially at a time when energy costs and other utilities may be rising,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “The rate stabilization protections the council put in place last year will allow the Wastewater Treatment Division to absorb an increase in energy costs without having to ask customers to pay more. In total, since 1993, when the King County Council took over wastewater responsibilities from the old METRO Council, King County has saved ratepayers over $211,000,000.”

The monthly sewer rate of $25.60 supports maintenance and operation of the county’s existing wastewater treatment system and is paid by all of its customers. Maintaining the 2005 rate is in line with Council policy to set multi-year rates to help assure predictability and stability.

The capacity charge is placed on new construction of homes and businesses to ensure that the new connections to our system that generate increased demand for services bear the cost of building additional facilities such as Brightwater, King County’s third wastewater treatment plant. The 2006 capacity charge will remain $34.05 per month, an amount that is less than the $36 to $37 per month originally been proposed for 2006 and 2007. The monthly capacity charge is assessed for 15 years after connection, but buyers can save $2,000 or more in interest payments if they choose to pay a lump sum up-front.

King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division collects wastewater from cities and utility districts and conveys it to treatment plants in Renton and West Point. Among its clients are 35 local agencies or districts in King County, south Snohomish County and a small portion of Pierce County. Today’s vote meets contractual obligations to have the sewer rate for the coming year in place by June 30.

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
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