BERLIN WATER WORKS
OFFICE OF THE WATER COMMISSION
55 Willow Street, Berlin, NH
Tel: 603-752-1677
Fax: 603-752-3055
NOTICE TO BERLIN WATER WORKS CUSTOMERS - LINEAL ASSESSMENT RATE MAY 2009
The Berlin Water Works Board of Water Commissioners is interested in informing their customers of an upcoming change in the water billing system.
The current block / step water billing system was established when the water meters were installed in 1978 and the Block / step assessment charges were added to the water bill in 1981. Since that time there have been many water customer comments regarding the increase in amount charged to a customer who happen to have usage just above the various steps in the 1) water rates and in the 2) assessment rates.
Several years ago the Board authorized the Berlin Water Works Staff to investigate other methods of billing water and assessment that would be fair and equitable and minimize the effect of block/steps. With that in mind, three objectives were established:
- Minimize effects of block / step system.
- Maintain same total revenue for water and for assessment.
- Revised system should maintain the smallest % of change per usage level between the old and new system to minimize the impact of the change to any customer group.
After reviewing various options, the Board of Water Commissioners and the BWW staff have developed and agree that the following as the best solution to REVISE THE ASSESSMENT RATES.
- The rate will be a fixed $27 for water usage 0 thru 600 cubic feet. Then $3 per each additional 100 cubic above 600 cubic feet added to the base $27. This lineal assessment charge will be effective in the May 2009 billing.
Note: The revised assessment change is not intended to be a rate increase. Some customers will experience a decrease and others an increase in their assessment charge. The total revenue collected is anticipated to be the same as before the change.
The water billing rate portion of the billing will not change at this time. The Board and BWW staff is continuing to work on this portion of the billing system.
If there are any questions or comments, please call Berlin Water Works at 55 Willow Street @ 752-1677 or stop by our office.
The chart below shows the old assessment step rate vs. the new lineal assessment rate for usage from 0 to 20,000 cu-ft. This information is also posted on the Berlin Water Works web site @berlinnh.gov.
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