M. Park proposes sliding water rates

Water and sewer rates, like everything else it seems, will be going up soon.

With that in mind, Manassas Park is trying to emphasize conservation by proposing sliding water rates based on consumption.

When this idea was first floated to residents at an April public hearing, it was met with an overwhelmingly negative response. The city is back with a revamped plan that will once again be put to the test at Tuesday's scheduled public hearing.

After the hearing, city council is scheduled to vote on the rates.

Currently, the city charges residents a $35 base fee and a $4 consumption rate per 1,000 gallons used. The proposed rate would eliminate the $35 fee but add a $26 service charge from Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority and a price consumption charge on a sliding scale.

For example, those who use zero to 3,500 gallons will be charged $2.88 per 1,000

gallons of water and $5.12 per 1,000 gallons for sewage. At each level of usage, the charges for water and sewer will go up incrementally.

The city projects the current average bill of 5,600 gallons per month costs residents $57.40 a month. That cost would go up to $71.33, a 24 percent increase, for the same amount of water used.

The cost increase has to do with many factors, including aging infrastructure, especially on the west side where the well-based system is starting to break down. Eventually, the wells will likely be replaced.

In the meantime, upgrades to the water system necessary to keep up with tougher Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards will cost the city nearly $28 million in the next 10 years.

The city owns a 5.4 percent capacity in UOSA and eventually, more capacity may be necessary for any heavy increase in commercial activity.

Rates in Manassas will also be increasing due to mandated improvements to the dam at Lake Manassas and necessary upgrades to their water treatment facility.

The average monthly bill for residents using 5,000 gallons—an industry standard—will be approximately $59, said Manassas assistant director of Water & Sewer, Dominic Brancaccio.

Brancaccio said the reasons for the smaller price tag are numerous, including a larger pool of residents to spread the cost around and the age and condition of individual systems.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-369-5738.