Zone 7 plans to increase its base water connection fee by 4 percent on May 1, 2017, agency staff revealed during a recent stakeholder meeting. Combined with an annual increase for inflation, this will bring its current rate for a ⅝-inch meter up a total of 7.4 percent from $25,320 to $27,185, or $1,865. Rates are scheduled to increase again on Jan. 1, 2018, and annually thereafter based on the ENR construction index. Zone 7 sells water to the Dublin San Ramon Services District and the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton. The increase is based on an updated water connection fee study, which re-calibrated population growth estimates and the costs of improvements necessary to serve additional residents through 2040. The revised $557 million capital projects list is slightly less than what was projected in the 2011 study but the projected percentage of new households also declined, which leaves fewer dwelling units to split the cost. The overall fee methodology remains the same. BIA|Bay Area members in attendance urged Zone 7 staff to ensure that the data being used to calculate water demand projections reflects the industry's increasingly water efficient homes through improved fixtures, reduced landscaping and the use of recycled water. Click here to download the staff slide presentation. The Zone 7 board is expected to consider the fee increase proposal on Feb. 15, 2017. For questions or comments, contact BIA’s Lisa Vorderbrueggen at 925-348-1956. Staff is also preparing an updated CIP which contains information used to develop the model and proposed fee, which will be made public in February along with the full draft 2017 Water Connection Fee update. In addition, here are several links that you may find useful: 2011 Water Connection Fee Update is located HERE and the Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Capital Improvement Program can be found HERE.
