Galt water rates help close city funding gap; water use down

GALT — Revenue raised from last year’s water rate increase is expected to not only cover costs for the City of Galt but eliminate an anticipated shortfall.

Additionally, a report prepared by the city’s Public Works Department shows usage over the past 10 months on average is 30 percent lower than historic pre-drought conditions.

It is unclear at this time what effect the information could have on potential future increases.

In April 2016, after months of discussion, public hearings and even mock billings mailed to customers, the new rates began transitioning from flat rates into those based on usage.

Customers who were already on a metered plan or had meters installed prior to July 15, 2015 saw the rate adjustment on their June 2016 bill, while flat rate customers whose meters were installed after that date transitioned to the metered rate in September 2016.

In the past, most ratepayers had paid for water based on a flat fee. The change was necessary due to new state mandates.

When they approved the increase last year, city council members asked for a status report a year later showing the projected revenue versus the actual revenue. That report was heard at last week’s regular council meeting.

When the new metered rates went into effect, Galt customers were still the lowest in the region.

The average single-family home — with a standard 1-inch meter using 12,510 gallons of water per day — was expected to pay about $23.37 per month, compared to neighboring Elk Grove, where rates at the time were $87.58 for the same amount of water. Folsom, the city with rates closest to Galt’s, pays an average of $33.06.

The state has mandated all water ratepayers in California be metered by 2025.