West Valley Sanitation Considering Sewer Rate Fee Increases

West Valley Sanitation District officials will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at 70 No. First St. in Campbell to inform the public about the agency's plans to increase its annual service rates. 

WVSD provides wastewater collection and disposal services for residents and businesses in much of Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Campbell and some unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County.

According to a flier about the meeting, based on the findings of a rate study report prepared by Bartle Wells Associates, the utility is proposing to increase sewer service charges by 10 percent in the 2013-14 fiscal year, 10 percent for the 2014-15 fiscal year, 10 percent for the 2015-16 fiscal year and 9.5 percent for the 2016-17 fiscal year. 

For example, the current single-family home monthly fee of $27.55 would go up by $2.76, or $30.31 by July 1 of this year. It would then jump to $33.34 by July 1, 2014; $36.67 by July 1, 2015; $40.15 by July, 2016; and $43.77 by July, 2017.

The agency said in the flier that it imposes among the lowest charges for sewer service in the Bay Area and that the fees pay for the collection and treatment of wastewater. It also said the rate increases would cover the costs of operating the collection and treatment system, as well as maintaining collection lines and paying for replacement of aging infrastructure.

In addition, the district directly contracts with the City of San Jose for the treatment of the wastewater and it's responsible to collect the fees necessary to cover the City of San Jose’s increasing costs to operate the treatment plant, according to the flier.

During the next decade, the City of San Jose is also facing a major rebuild of its wastewater treatment plant and the proposed rate increases are needed to address the district’s share of $950 million in capital improvement projects that will be constructed at the plant, the flier added.

The rate increases, the flier said, will allow the district to replace aging facilities, keep pace with rising operating costs, and continue to maintain a safe and reliable sewer system 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Those opposing the rate increase may file a written protest prior to the close of the May 8 public hearing and snail mail it to: Secretary of the Board, West Valley Sanitation District, 100 East Sunnyoaks Ave., Campbell, CA 95008. If written protests are submitted by a majority of the affected parcel owners, the rate increase will not be imposed, the agency said in the flier.

—See attached WVSD notice of sewer rate increase pdf for additional information.

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