Waukesha - Waukesha city officials on Friday approved setting higher rates for residences with the greatest volumes of water use, a move sought by the environmental group Clean Wisconsin.
The Waukesha Water Utility has objected to Clean Wisconsin intervening in the rate case now before the state Public Service Commission but accepted the environmental agency's suggested revisions to the new water charges.
For single families that use under 10,000 gallons a quarter, the rate will be $2.05 per 1,000 gallons. For those who use between 10,000 and 30,000 gallons a quarter, the rate will be $2.65 per 1,000 gallons. The rate increases to $3.40 per 1,000 gallons for those who use more than 30,000 gallons a quarter.
The utility board agreed to provide the PSC a monthly report on water use by all residential customer classes, which include single-family, duplex and triplex. The reports should be from May 2008 until October 2011.
The stipulation must be approved by the PSC before the new rate structure is put into place.
In 2007 Waukesha shifted to a conservation rate structure - one that makes water more expensive as more is used. The city is seeking through its rate structure to both raise more money to help pay for radium reduction efforts and to promote water conservation.