JACKSON, Wyo. — Town Council unanimously approved the amendment of two water-related ordinances at its meeting on May 18. Water rates will rise 25%, sewer rates 10% and new irrigation and watering rules will kick in during dry periods. Everyone who uses the town water system will see increases in fees across the board. Changes will take effect on June 1.
Revenue from increased water rates goes to operational costs like staffing, labor, chemicals for wastewater treatment and fixing equipment used to manage water.
The amendments were made for a variety of reasons, including expectations of a dry summer given the low snowpack this year, according to the staff report. Public Works Director Johnny Ziem told Buckrail previously that the rates pay for more than just the water in and out of a home, but also for things like capital improvement projects, which in the past have run over budget and prompted withdrawals from the reserve account.
Further amendments were passed as well to restrict watering in the hotter and drier months. The watering limits are triggered when the demands on town water surpass the fire safety threshold, meaning there wouldn’t be enough water left for firefighters to fight fires.
The restrictions are split into phases.
Phase 1: Residents can only water on certain days and times based on their address. Watering can only occur between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m.
Phase 2: If the first phase doesn’t reduce demand enough, watering will be restricted to only twice a week at the same times.
These restrictions have no effect on drip irrigation or hand-watering with a hose nozzle — those can be used anytime, any day. New lawns can be watered freely for 30 days after installation or seeding.
Costs will affect homeowners, businesses and anyone connecting new property directly. While renters don’t directly pay utility bills in all cases, they will likely also feel the impact.
