New homeowners could get a break on their sewer rates based on a vote by Durango city councilors on Tuesday evening.
Residential sewer rates are based on a household’s average water consumption from January through March because residents do not irrigate during the winter.
New homeowners have been paying sewer bills based on the previous residents’ use if they moved in after March.
But it’s unfair for small households to pay bills based on a large family, Mayor Christina Rinderle said.
The Durango City Council agreed residents may choose to be billed based on the citywide average or the previous homeowners rate.
“It’s a common-sense correction,” Councilor Dick White said.
The new rate structure passed unanimously.
Residents brought the problem to the council’s attention, but no one spoke on it Tuesday.
The new rate structure would apply only to bills issued after Jan 1.
The average residence in Durango sends about 3,000 gallons of water to the sewage-treatment plant monthly. After three years of steep rate hikes, the average city sewer bill is predicted to be $48.55 a month in 2017.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
