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Rates
Shoreline Water Rate Increase Questions and Answers
Background
On Monday, May 1, 2006, the Seattle City Council voted to increase residential and commercial water rates for 2006-2008. The rates shown and discussed here are for the City of Shoreline only. The 2006 rates are effective June 1, 2006.
What is happening to Shoreline residential water rates?
The base water service charge for residential customers increases steadily each year from 2006 to 2008. Winter water rates increase slightly in 2006, stay the same in 2007, and then increase again in 2008. Summer water rates increase in 2006 and then remain constant through 2008. See the table below for specific details.
City of Shoreline Residential
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2005 Adopted
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2006 Adopted
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2007 Adopted
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2008 Adopted
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Base Service Charge:
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$ 7.90
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$ 9.00
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$ 9.80
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$ 11.40
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Winter Rate:
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$ 2.88
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$ 3.07
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$ 3.07
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$ 3.18
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Summer Rate 1st Block
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$ 3.28
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$ 3.49
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$ 3.49
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$ 3.49
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Summer Rate 2nd Block
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$ 3.82
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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Summer Rate 3rd Block
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$ 9.75
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$ 10.37
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$ 10.37
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$ 10.37
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What is happening to Shoreline commercial water rates?
The base water service charge for commercial customers increases steadily from 2006 through 2008. Winter water rates increase in 2006, decrease in 2007, and then increase again in 2008. Summer water rates increase in 2006 and then remain constant through 2008. See the table below for specific details.
City of Shoreline Commercial
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2005 Adopted
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2006 Adopted
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2007 Adopted
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2008 Adopted
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Base Service Charge 3/4":
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$ 7.90
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$ 9.00
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$ 9.80
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$ 11.40
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Base Service Charge 1":
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$ 10.00
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$ 10.10
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$ 10.40
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$ 12.10
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Base Service Charge 4":
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$ 74.00
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$ 88.70
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$ 95.80
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$ 112.00
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Base Service Charge 8":
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$230.00
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$ 230.00
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$ 233.00
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$ 241.00
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Winter Rate:
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$ 2.28
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$ 2.83
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$ 2.78
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$ 3.18
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Summer Rate 1st Block
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$ 3.82
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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Summer Rate 2nd Block
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$ 3.82
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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Summer Rate 3rd Block
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$ 3.82
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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$ 4.06
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Where did the franchise fee go?
As of June 1, 2006, the franchise fee on water service SPU provides to Shoreline residents will no longer appear on the bill. This fee is now rolled into the base service charge and commodity rates.
What was the Shoreline utility franchise fee on my bill?
In 1999, Shoreline began charging Seattle Public Utilities a franchise fee on water service SPU provided to Shoreline residents. This fee increased SPU’s cost of serving Shoreline customers, and SPU passed this cost on directly to them as a separate item on their bills. All of the revenues from this fee are paid to the City of Shoreline.
How much was the Shoreline utility franchise fee per month?
Residential customers were charged an additional $1.75 per month. Commercial customers were charged an additional $13.60 per month. Master metered residential developments were charged $1,093.75 per month.
How will the franchise fee change?
On June 1, 2006, the franchise fee on water service SPU provided to Shoreline customers will change from a flat rate to a 6% charge that is incorporated in the adopted rates. This charge is based on consumption and is considered more equitable to Shoreline customers.
What is the base water service charge?
The base service charge is a fixed monthly fee, determined by the size of the water meter installed at your property. Most single family residences are served by a ¾" meter, which is the smallest and least expensive available.
What is the base water service charge used for?
The base service charge more equitably distributes service costs that are not related to the volume of water used. Base service costs include items such as bill production, customer service, water service inspections, and meter reading, maintenance and replacement.
Why is my bill increasing?
A portion of the increase will fund a settlement the City of Seattle and the Muckleshoot Tribe reached in March that secured water rights to the Cedar River in exchange for land and hunting rights.
Another portion of the rate increase will help replace water infrastructure near the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which was damaged in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake.
Another portion of the rate increase will fund improved water system security, which includes the reservoir covering program.
Another portion of the rate increase will compensate for inflation and increased taxes.
What do our water rates and charges pay for?
Water rates and charges pay for the following costs:
Infrastructure & Maintenance
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29%
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Water Quality & Supply
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22%
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Services, Billing, Customer Service
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12%
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Taxes
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12%
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Administration
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8%
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Security & Emergency Response
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6%
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City of Shoreline Franchise Fee
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6%
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Environmental Investments
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5%
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