North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association, in conjunction with the North Dakota League of Cities Regional Meetings, will be sponsoring 6 half day, How to Set Proper Water Rates training sessions.

Topics to be Covered:

• Water Rate Basics
• Rate Setting Strategies
• Affordability, Operating & Coverage Ratios
• Full Cost Pricing
• Inflation & Depreciation
• Capacity Development
• Water Audits, Meters & Unaccounted for Water
• Planning for the Future
• Computer Rate Analysis Demonstration

Presenter: Eric Volk, Executive Director, NDRWSA

But, we will be the first to admit that we have our limits. With all the other services we need to provide there are only so many hours we can devote to rate calculations and rate setting help. Just learning how to do this kind of work at a high level takes many months of training, time we simply cannot spare. Fortunately, there's more than one way to skin a cat (apologies to all you cat lovers).

In January your Association launched the "North Dakota RATES Program," which stands for Rate Analysis and Training for Environmental Systems. That's right; we're "doubling down." We will continue to provide rate setting help like before. But we have added rate analysis and training services on the top end of the scale. Those services will be provided by Carl Brown Consulting (CBC) which is perhaps the best small-system rate analysis firm in the U.S.

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The Rural Water Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) was established under a grant from USDA/Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to provide financing to eligible utilities for pre-development costs associated with proposed water and wastewater projects.  RLF funds can also be used with existing water/wastewater systems and the short term costs incurred for replacement equipment, small scale extension of services or other small capital projects that are not a part of your regular operations and maintenance. 

Loan amounts may not exceed $100,000 or 75% of the total project cost whichever is less.  The program allows a maximum repayment period of 10 years. The repayment period cannot exceed the useful life of the facilities or financed item. Five year, interest only, pre-development loans will also be available. The RLF does not require an engineer, bond counsel or architect.

Loans will be made at the lower of the poverty or market interest rate as published by RUS, with a minimum of 3% at the time of closing.  The most current rates are available on the RUS Water and Environmental Programs Home page at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWEP_HomePage.html.

Applicants can contact the North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association, 701-258-9249, for assistance in acquiring, preparing and submitting the required documents.