HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrent11132012.pdf
Kathryn D. Supron, Mayor
Mary E. Mills, Clerk
Angela M. Podufalski, Deputy Clerk
Joan M. Mangione, Treasurer
Brent A. Cross, Engineer
Village of Cayuga Heights
MARCHAM HALL
836 HANSHAW ROAD
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
(607) 257-1238
fax (607) 257-4910
ENGINEER’S REPORT
DATE: November 7, 2012
TO: BOARD OF TRUTEES
FROM: Brent A. Cross, Village Engineer
RE: Sewer Billing Details
As discussed at the last Trustee meeting, I have done follow-up investigation of several sewer
billing issues by contacting the Ithaca Area WWTP (IAWWTP) and the Village of Dryden WWTP
(DWWTP). Here are the results of my research:
1. How do other municipalities handle complaints/requests for credit based on customer
leaks or unintentional loss/usage? IAWWTP and DWWTP both accept requests on a
case by case basis and are reviewed/approved by the municipal boards.
2. How do other municipalities handle sewer billing for properties that use water for
irrigation purposes? Neither the IAWWTP nor DWWTP have any mechanism to process
allowance for irrigation consumption. IAWWTP used to “rent” out a meter to customers
with “large” irrigation needs, but they have since discontinued the practice.
3. How do other municipalities charge multiple dwelling units that are served by one water
meter? In this case, it is handled differently at each system. IAWWTP only charges for
the actual consumption and does not charge a quarterly minimum consumption for each
dwelling unit. DWWTP does charge a minimum for each dwelling unit. More importantly,
BPWS charges a minimum water consumption for each dwelling unit. Therefore
currently, to be consistent with BPWS, the Village of Cayuga Heights is charging a
minimum for each dwelling served by a single meter.
I have also researched the sewer rate and minimum quarterly charge in IAWWTP and DWWTP
(see attached table). Even though the Village of Cayuga Heights minimum quarterly charge
(consistent with BPWS) is more than the other municipalities, the rate is so much lower that the
minimum billing is still less than IAWWTP and DWWTP.
The Village has received 4 claims for credit on their most recent billing. In each case, I have
reviewed approximately 10 years of data provided by BPWS. For each case, I have compared
the current sewer billing to the following possible options:
-the highest quarter in the available data history
-the average of the same quarter in the available data history
-the same quarter in the most recent year of data
COMPARISON OF SEWER BILLING FOR QUARTERLY MINIMUM
Min. Consumption Min Charge BPWS Min Difference Rate Extra Total Bill
MUNICIPALITY (gallons) (charge) (gallons) (gallons)
(per
1000) (charge) (charge)
VCH Inside 10,000 $ 21.50 10,000 -
$
2.15 $ -
$
21.50
VCH Outside 10,000 $ 32.20 10,000 -
$
3.22 $ -
$
32.20
City of Ithaca 8,976 $ 60.72 10,000
1,024
$
5.08
$
5.20
$
65.92
Village of Dryden 1,250 $ 48.10 10,000
8,750
$
3.77
$
32.99
$
81.09
ANALYSIS OF CLAIMS FOR SEWER BILLING CREDIT
(AS OF 11/1/12 BASED ON CURRENT BILLING RATE OF $3.22/1000 GALLONS)
MUNICIPALITY CURRENT QTR HIGHEST QTR 3rd QTR AVG RECENT 3rd QTR DIFFERENCE ADJUST BILL
PROPERTY (town/village) (gallons) (gallons) (gallons) (gallons) (gallons) (incude min)
21 Cedar Lane V/Lansing 44,600 39,000 5,600 18.03 $
44,600 27,300 17,300 55.71 $
44,600 20,600 24,000 77.28 $
Owner claims that her recent consumption is high because a sprinkler was left on while she was on vacation, and that there was also
a leak in the sprinkler system.
10 Bush Lane V/Lansing 153,400 143,600 9,800 31.56 $
153,400 79,960 73,440 236.48 $
153,400 65,600 87,800 282.72 $
Owner claims that high consumption was because he had used the water for lawn sprinkler.
51 Highgate Circle V/Lansing 62,300 29,100 33,200 106.90 $
62,300 10,000 52,300 168.41 $
62,300 10,000 52,300 168.41 $
Owner claims that the high consumption was due to a broken pipe below basement floor. BPWS does not have records to suppor this claim.
165 Graham Road V/Lansing 451,200 14,200 437,000 1,407.14 $
451,200 10,000 441,200 1,420.66 $
451,200 10,000 441,200 1,420.66 $
Owner admits to not reading meter for about 10 years. Past billings were based on estimated readings.
The basis for her claim is that she has already paid sewer for all past quarters under the previous billing system.
62 Janivar Drive V/Lansing 45,600 51,200 (5,600) (18.03) $
45,600 27,700 17,900 57.64 $
45,600 37,000 8,600 27.69 $
Owner claims that high consumption was becase he had used the water for lawn sprinkler.