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Residential Property Facts

The rate increase is effective May 1, 2008 (for April 2008 consumption).

Why is LVVWD increasing rates now?
The Las Vegas Valley Water District is implementing the increase for two key reasons:

1. To promote water conservation.
   
   
2. To meet revenue requirements and ensure the district's financial integrity.

When was the last increase?
This is the first rate increase for district customers since January 2007.

How was the amount of this increase determined?
The increase was based on several factors including historical rates, Water District financial needs, and an economic study of water price elasticity.

The District also called together a Citizens Advisory Committee to make recommendations on rates. What were their findings?
The 14-member Rates Citizens Advisory Committee representing diverse stakeholder groups met to provide recommendations concerning Water District rates and rate structure. The committee members were selected by the LVVWD Board. After careful evaluation of the issues, the Committee reached a consensus on several recommendations:

1. Increase the service charge. The committee recommended increasing the monthly service charge to more closely reflect actual service-related costs.
   
   
2. Make adjustments to rate tiers for residential customers. The new rates reflect the first of several phased adjustments designed to charge all single-family residential customers the same rate for the same amount of water use, regardless of meter size. This adjustment, a key recommendation of the Citizens Advisory Committee, will affect single-family residential customers with 3/4 inch and larger meters. Your meter size is listed on your bill.
   
   
3. Provide for graduated increases to tier pricing. Conservation continues to drive the district's rate structure: The more water you use, the higher the cost. The Citizens Advisory Committee recommended applying a higher percentage of the rate increase to higher levels of water use, where usage is often discretionary, to emphasize the need for conservation. While the rate increases apply to each of the four tiers, they gradually escalate at each tier to send stronger "pricing signals" to the heavier water user. The increase is designed to lessen the impact to those with low to moderate water use.
   

How much will typical bills go up?
Typical impacts for most single-family residential customers are:

Does this include an increase in the monthly service charge?
Yes. For a customer on a common 5/8-inch meter, the proposed monthly service charge will increase $2.02 a month - from $4.04 a month to $6.06 a month. The monthly service charge is based on your meter size. The monthly service charge for a customer with a 3/4-inch meter will increase $2.33 a month - from $4.65 a month to $6.98 a month.

How much water do I get in each tier?
Almost all (96%) single family residential customers have either a 5/8-inch meter or a 3/4-inch meter. Here are the tiers for these two meter sizes. For other meter sizes, refer to Proposed Rates and Fees.

Tier Change for Single-Family Residential Properties
		Monthly Consumption in Gallons
Service Meter Size	Tier		Current Threshold	Proposed Threshold
*5/8"	1	first	5,000	5,000
	2	next	5,000	5,000
	3	next	10,000	10,000
	4	over	20,000	20,000
3/4"	Tier 1	first	7,600	6,800
	Tier 2	next	7,600	6,800
	Tier 3	next	15,200	13,500
	Tier 4	over	30,400	27,000
1"	Tier 1	first	12,700	10,100
	Tier 2	next	12,700	10,100
	Tier 3	next	50,700	37,200
	Tier 4	over	76,000	57,500
1.5"	Tier 1	first	25,300	18,600
	Tier 2	next	25,3000	18,600
	Tier 3	next	202,8000	138,600
	Tier 4	over	253,500	175,700
2"	Tier 1	first	40,500	28,700
	Tier 2	next	40.500	28,700
	Tier 3	next	486,700	327,800
	Tier 4	over	567,800	385,300

*The tiers for 5/8" meter service will not change under the proposed rate increase.

Is there a way I can learn how the increase in water rates will affect my bill?
To learn how the increase will impact your bill, you can use the rate calculator.

Will this added revenue be used to underwrite the pipeline project to White Pine County?
No, neither the Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project nor the Southern Nevada Water Authority receive funding from local water rates.

Will this money be used to help pay for the Las Vegas Springs Preserve?
Yes, the Las Vegas Valley Water District is the owner and steward of the Springs Preserve. At present, LVVWD provides financial support to meet operating expenses of the Springs Preserve which opened last year. Additional support comes from the Springs Preserve Foundation, ticket sales, concessions and gift shop. It is anticipated that over time, the Springs Preserve will be self sufficient, generating enough revenues to cover all of its costs.

How do LVVWD rates compare to other communities in the West?
The LVVWD average monthly water bills are comparable to other cities in the Western United States.

How do LVVWD rates compare to other communities in the Las Vegas Valley?
Under the new rates a typical LVVWD residential customer using 14,000 gallons of water will pay about $36 a month (average annual rate). Rates are competitive with the other communities in the valley, but the increase will send strong pricing signals to encourage conservation. The City of North Las Vegas has already increased its rates, and it is anticipated that the other municipalities will also increase their rates in the months ahead.

What are you doing to help people conserve water and waste less water?
Southern Nevada Water Authority’s conservation program is one of the most aggressive in the nation. Since its inception in 1999, the Water Smart Landscapes incentive program prompted the removal of more than 96 million square feet of turf, saving more than 19 billion gallons of water. There are coupons available for pool covers and car washes, and indoor retrofit kits for homes, too. In 2003, local municipalities enacted restrictions for new homes and businesses that severely restrict the amount of grass that can be used in their landscaping. The Board of Directors has expressed interest in having the Water District look even closer at what customers can do to conserve inside their homes. Additional conservation materials are available at the Springs Preserve including classes on living a sustainable lifestyle. The Springs Preserve Web site, springspreserve.org, may also be helpful.

The Water District also has an aggressive water waste investigation program. As part of this rate case, the Board of Directors doubled water waste fees for those individuals who consistently violate water restrictions. In 2007, the LVVWD conducted more than  21,800 water waste investigations and collected more than $405,000 in water waste fees. First-time water waste fees may be waived if the customer attends a special educational program, “Curbing Water Waste,” which is held regularly at the Water District.