Three-Mile Water District rates increased for some

A rate increase recently approved by the board of directors for Three-Mile Water District is expected to affect about 25 percent of the system’s 700 customers.

They are the customers who use the most water, said Jack Tice, chairman of the board. The new rates go into effect immediately.

Customers currently pay a base rate of $22.50 for 20,000 gallons of water a month.

Customers who use more than 60,000 gallons over their 20,000 gallons will now pay $4 for every additional 1,000 gallons. Customers who use 70,000 gallons over their allocation will pay $6 for every additional 1,000 gallons.

Tice explained that the rate structure was changed in fairness to the water district’s five to six nurseries and tree farms, who need most of their water for three months of the year.

Traditionally, commercial users, have had, for example, purchased four water hookups, which are $5,000 apiece. The user then pays the base rate for each hookup.

“We’re trying to get away from doing that for large users, who use water only three months out of the year,” he said. “It would seem tragic to make them pay for 10 hookups. That would be $50,000.

Eight people attended a recent public hearing on the matter.

“Each gave their opinion, but once they understood what we were doing, there were no challenges,” Tice said.

The board’s approval was unanimous. Other board members are Doug Higgins, Judith Regehr, Pam Mead and Cecil Wedel.

Rates will remain the same most customers, who pay $1.60 for each additional 1,000 gallons over 20,000 gallons; $1.70 for each additional 1,000 gallons over 30,000; $1.80 for each additional 1,000 gallons over 40,000; and $3.80 for every additional 1,000 gallons over 50,000.

Three Mile Water District serves the area west of Moyie Springs, west of Three-Mile and south to Bonners Ferry.