Most water users in the Talkeetna Service Area would see reduced rates if proposed changes are approved by the Mat-Su Borough Assembly in December.
The Talkeetna Sewer and Water Advisory Board has been discussing the changes for about six years. According to Board Chair Drew Haag (HAYG) the proposed rates are a more fair and equitable way to charge customers based on consumption. Currently, residential users pay a flat rate of $78 per month, regardless of how much water they use.
Beginning July 1, 2025, residential users will pay only $60 for up to 3,000 gallons per month. Borough Utilities and Facilities Operational Supervisor Amanda Fleming says that base rate will apply to most Talkeetna water users. The first tier is set for 3,001 to 7,500 gallons and would not see any added costs per gallon. However, those households that use more than 7,500 gallons will pay one-half cent per gallon above that base rate. The costs increase with more water usage.
Commercial users will be charged a $100 sewer and $90 water base rate for up to 3,000 gallons. Each tier increases by one cent per gallon for those customers.
Fleming says there has not been a rate change since 2017. The Board worked with the State of Alaska Rural Utilities Business Advisors to develop the proposed rate structure. Haag says a lot of those changes were also based on feedback from community members.
Revenue generated from this new rate structure is meant to equal the existing funds coming in, but make it more equitable for minimal water users, according to Haag. He says this new rate structure will hopefully encourage conservation because every gallon that goes into the lagoon has treatment costs. This could reduce the overall operating costs of the system.
Fleming says most residential users will not fall into the highest tier, which is more than 12,000 gallons per month. She says that’s usually because there is a leak or residents are watering plants outside.
There also are several rule changes coming. This summer’s pipe cleanout revealed significant accumulation of fat, oil, and grease, or FOG, in the pipes. There will be a requirement for grease traps to reduce FOG.
New disconnect and seasonal shut-off costs are also included in the changes, as well as some changes to the seasonal rates for service requests.
The full list of changes can be found on the Borough website. The public is invited to the next Advisory Board meeting on December 4th at the Talkeetna Library at 1pm.
The Borough Assembly will vote on the proposed changes at their meeting on Tuesday, December 17th. If the rules and rates are accepted as proposed, the changes would go into effect July 1, 2025.
