DATE: December 28, 2016
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Mark Hilty, Water Management Director
SUBJECT:
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Discussion of the City of Franklin’s Irrigation Metering Structure
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Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning irrigation metering within the City of Franklin water utility system.
Background
At this time, the City provides for irrigation water in several ways including:
§ Potable water meter: all water that passes through a potable water meter is billed for both water consumption and sanitary sewer loading based on a customer charge and volume, irrespective of the use of the water. To acknowledge increased water consumption (particularly during summer months) can be associated with irrigation and other uses that may not enter the wastewater stream, the City employs a declining wastewater rate structure.
§ Irrigation water meter: customers are able to have an irrigation meter installed that eliminates the charge of sanitary sewer. The irrigation water user rates are the same as potable water rates. The installation of an irrigation meter does require payment of additional impact fees.
§ Reclaimed water meter: reclaimed water is a separate system and is not included as part of this discussion.
In recent years various customer have expressed concerns related to the existing structure, calling into question the equitability of using a potable water meter that includes sanitary sewer fees and the affordability of installing a separate irrigation meter.
Two common irrigation metering options in Middle Tennessee are the use of a seasonal pricing concept and our current methodology of installing irrigation meters. There are various considerations that require discussion with the BOMA to determine if our current methodology is appropriate or if an alternative option should be explored.
Financial Impact
At this time, a financial impact has not yet been quantified.
Recommendation
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At this time, staff would like to receive input from the BOMA prior to developing a detailed recommendation. Staff would encourage that some form of metering remain as the primary tool to deliver irrigation water.