| | | | | | | | City of Georgetown, Texas
City Council Workshop
February 22, 2022 |
| | | | | | | | SUBJECT:
Presentation, discussion, and direction regarding the 2021 Water Peak Demand, Conservation Efforts enacted in 2021, potential efforts moving forward, and Water and Wastewater Rate Study status -- Chelsea Solomon, Water Utility Director; and Tiffany Diaz, Regulatory Analyst |
| | | | | | | | ITEM SUMMARY:
Peak Demand
This item will discuss the peak water usage seen in 2021 and 2020 and associated growth trends. The summer of 2021 was an abnormal year in the fact that it had lower temperatures and greater rainfall amounts than are normally seen in this area. The summer of 2020 is more reflective of an average summer. The utility has maintained usage projections based on 2020 demand and utilized the current growth rate for the Georgetown service territory. The growth numbers for the year maintained on target for a 10% growth rate as previously anticipated. As we look at long term demands the utility will utilize a normal projected weather pattern and a historical growth projection to determine long term capital projects and resource needs.
Conservation Program
The conservation department was moved to water in in 2021 and efforts were undertaken to revamp the program. Staff have listened to customers and this upcoming year we will look at potential changes, modifications to better the program, increase participation, encourage education, and promote conservation as a long-term demand side management strategy.
Updated Water and Wastewater Rate Study
The multi-year 2020 rate study recommended increases to rates each year for the next several years to cover debt coverage, reserves, and financial policy. The rate study has been updated this year to reflect updates to previous assumptions, customer class equality, increased operation and maintenance costs, capital improvement advancements, other projects identified through maintenance efforts, resiliency needs identified in last year’s winter storm and as required by Senate Bill 3. In addition, the south lake treatment plant recently bid, the recommendations within the rate study are reflective of the advancement of the plant, the bids received and anticipated bond issuance. Formal recommendation of the south lake plant bid award will be submitted to council in March. Having these numbers helps to fine tune debt coverage and more accurately project revenue needs.
Discussion and Recommendations
We will be seeking discussion and recommendation on projected conservation direction, rate strategy, potential modifications to financial policy and an overall discussion of rate projections given the recommended strategies. |
| | | | | | | | SUBMITTED BY:
RLD for Water |
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