GPIWA to keep rates steady for next 5 years
The Greater Pine Island Water Association recently decided that the rate of recurring monthly charges are not likely to change for the next five years, keeping islanders’ water bills steady.
At the Oct. 26 board meeting, General Manager Laurie Adams said in a rate study done in 2016, GPIWA was noted as needing up to a 2% yearly rate increase for the years 2017-2021. By careful management of expenses, GPIWA adopted 2% rate increases in only three of the five years on water usage, ready to serve and the base fee. At the same time, capital reinvestment was occurring in all infrastructure from the distribution piping to the treatment plant to production wells.
To forecast the next five years (2022-2026), another rate study was undertaken and recently finished. GPIWA has put itself in a position for no rate increases to the same recurring fees of the usage, ready to serve and base fee over the next 5-year period.
“Our mission at GPIWA is to produce clean, safe drinking water that exceeds all regulated standards and strive to deliver all services as cost effectively as possible with our member’s interest in mind. This mission guides us in all actions for our members,” Adams said.
“GPIWA was incorporated in 1964 as a not-for-profit, member-owned water utility. We have sought to reinvest in our infrastructure for our current and future members,” said Adams.
In the last few years, significant reinvestment has taken place in Charlotte Shores, Matlacha Isles, Shoreview Drive and now Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Tropical Home sites, known locally as the Fruit Streets. According to Adams, each neighborhood received upsized water mains to support fire hydrants and therefore better fire protection capability.
“This is very costly. Each phase of the Fruit Streets alone is close to $1 million. In addition, the first phase of water main upgrade on Pine Island Road was complete in 2020,” Adams Said.
At the same time other aspects of the business were reviewed for equity in terms of fees related to development, new service connections and private fire protection, said Adams. Implementing the fees and charges proposed at the October board meeting provides better equity when considering investments necessary to serve new customer growth and other customer specific requests. The GPIWA Board of Directors approved the fee changes for implementation on Jan. 1, 2022. Both existing and future customers of GPIWA will benefit from lower monthly service rates over time as these fees are aligned with the costs to provide service.
“There are actions members can take to help keep costs in check. A very important note for new and existing members includes calling for utility locates before you dig. GPIWA pays each month to a non-profit service called Sunshine 811. By calling 811, a ticket is started and then GPIWA receives notice to locate our buried water mains. When this does not take place, it results in broken water mains, services, precautionary boil water notices and emergency repairs by the GPIWA distribution crew of six,” Adams said.