Per City of Hartford Administration, following is a brief explanation of the water rate case you may have read about in the local papers.  You may want to use this information in your 2011 budgetary planning process.

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http://ci.hartford.wi.us/Special/Brief%20Explaination%20of%20Water%20Rate%20Increase%20Request.pdf

HARTFORD WATER UTILITY

APPLICATION FOR WATER RATE INCREASE

On May 11^th the Common Council of the City of Hartford approved the filing of a rate increase application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.  The application proposes an overall 82% increase in water rates for customers of the Hartford Water Utility.  The application does not affect sanitary sewer rates.  If the application is approved, a rate order from the Public Service Commission could be introduced in late 2010, but more likely in early 2011.  This application is the first request for a rate increase since 1999, and would be the first water rate change since 2000.

The rate increase is driven by costs associated with four recent major construction projects:  Water Well #16 (and its related treatment facility), Water Tower #4, the Highway 60 West watermain project, and the Highway 83 North watermain project.  The current rate tariff is insufficient to absorb the costs of these extraordinary projects (approximately $11.7 million).

The City of Hartford is proceeding under a comprehensive water system study conducted by engineering consultants in 2003 (revised 2005).  This study indicated a lack of pumping and storage capacity, and offered specific recommendations for additional water wells and towers over the next 20-25 years.  These conclusions were confirmed by a regional water supply study conducted by the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Plan Commission.  In addition the City of Hartford entered into a consent order with the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources in 2006 to close Water Well #4 due to radium levels in excess of the new EPA standard.  That consent order was granted because the City was developing Well #16.  The City estimates the addition of Well #16 and Tower #4 will satisfy anticipated pumping and storage needs for the next ten years, based on current growth projections, and will restore necessary redundancy to the City's water supply and fire suppression systems.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will conduct a public hearing in Hartford concerning this rate application.  When the date of that public hearing is determined, the City of Hartford will publish an official notice in the Daily News, and will provide additional announcements through the media, its cable television station, and the City web site.  Any questions concerning this application for rate increase should be directed to the Office of the City Administrator, 109 North Main Street, Hartford, WI  53027.  (262) 673-8204.

Patrice Hoeschele

Executive Director

office:  262.673.7009

mobile:  262.573.1927

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