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1. What are the water and wastewater rate drivers?

The City of Redmond provides water and wastewater services to our customers. To assure continued dependability for users, these distribution systems must be maintained, upgraded, and replaced. New facilities must also be provided as additional demands are made on these systems. The cost of providing these services is recovered through user fees and rates.

Approximately 65% of the water consumed by customers in Redmond is purchased from Cascade Water Alliance with the remainder coming from the City's own wells. King County Metro charges Redmond to treat the wastewater generated from our customers. Their wastewater treatment rates are passed directly to our customers. These regional costs make up a significant portion of our customers' water and wastewater charges.

2. What factors contribute to increases in water and wastewater rates?

Several factors contributed to these increased rates:

• Future replacement of water and wastewater infrastructure
• The increased wholesale price of water from the Cascade Water Alliance
• Inflationary increases in operating and maintenance costs
• King County Metro's wastewater treatment pass-through charge increased by 2.51% to $45.33 for 2019

3. What are the stormwater rate drivers?

The stormwater rate covers the City's costs to provide stormwater services to customers. Each developed parcel in the City is subject to the stormwater utility charge. Drainage from most properties enters or impacts the City stormwater system in some manner. These facilities, which are generally located on City streets, require continual maintenance and improvements. 

The stormwater utility supports capital improvement projects for flood control, erosion, conveyance improvements, and regional water quality or detention facilities. The utility also monitors and improves the health of local streams, constructs habitat improvement projects, and responds to State and Federal regulatory and permitting requirements. The cost to finance these services is recovered through user fees and rates.

4. What factors contribute to increases in stormwater rates?

There are no stormwater rate increases in 2017.