TOWN OF IPSWICH

LEGAL NOTICE

Board of Water Commissioners

Edward B. Rauscher, Chair

PROOF O.K. BY:___________________________

NW-CN13463768

Residents of the Town of

Ipswich please note that
the Board of Selectmen,
as Water Commissioners,
will hold public hearings on
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
and Monday, September 19,
2016, both at 7:45 PM, in the
Selectmens meeting room of
Town Hall, to consider and
act on the modification of the
current water rates effective
for billings on and after
October 1, 2016.

O.K. WITH CORRECTIONS BY:________________________

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY SUBMIT CORRECTIONS ONLINE

NW-CN13463768 (100%)
ADVERTISER: IPSWICH UTILITIES DEPT

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NEXT RUN DATE: 08/18/16

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PUBLICATION: NW-IPSWICH CH

Residential Seasonal (Winter) Water Rate

Public Hearings: September 6 & 19, 2016

SEASONAL RATE
BACKGROUND
1999 DEP issued Administrative Consent Order for

exceeding permitted withdrawal from Parker River

Watershed.
Required we develop a rate structure to encourage

conservation.

At same time struggled to keep up with summer demand.

Considered expanding Bull Brook Reservoir, searched for
additional well sources.

THE PROBLEM

RESIDENTIAL SUMMER USE

COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER
WARNING
8,000,000

7,000,000

6,000,000

5,000,000

4,000,000

3,000,000

2,000,000

1,000,000

Average Commercial 2013-2015 Gallons

Average Commercial Use 1999-2001 Gallons

ANNUAL WATER USE

CURRENT PRACTICE
Residential customer rates are adjusted twice each year in May

and October
Summer rate is set at 1.5 times the base rate
Winter rate is adjusted based on the revenues generated in the

summer so that the program remains revenue neutral

Structure adopted by Commissioners in 2003
In 2014 Subcommittee recommended continuing rate structure

at least 3 more years

Subcommittee evaluating current program

CHALLENGES
Ability to meet demand during drought being tested
Limited by authorized withdrawals in Ipswich (0.2

MGD) & Parker (0.98 MGD) Watersheds

Balancing 7 water sources in 2 watersheds
Parker: 2 reservoirs treated at the WTP, 2 wells
Ipswich: 3 wells
Managing sources with high Manganese
No large stored reserves
Rate structure is critical tool to manage demand

RISKS OF CHANGING STRUCTURE

If customer use increases
May exceed DEP authorized volumes
May not meet demand with current sources
Pump water high in Mn
DEP requires mitigation to offset increased demand
Parker Permit renewal 2018
Current demand exempts Ipswich from some new
requirements
Increased consumption will trigger DEP requirements
and cost rate payers more

SUBCOMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION
To amend Article VIII of the Water Division Regulations

of the Town of Ipswich to change the water rates as

follows:
Section 5: Normal User Charges
(a)Winter Residential Rate From
October 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017

From

To

$12.50/100 cu. ft.

$4.91/100 cu. ft.

-OR(a)Winter Residential Rate From

November 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017

$12.50/100 cu. ft.

All Other User Charges

Year Round (Base Rate)

No Change

$3.38/100 cu. Ft.

WAYS TO SAVE
Use rain barrels.

Replace old fixtures in home.

Home leak detection/repair.
Full laundry/dishwasher loads.
Take advantage of rebates.
Visit www.ipswichma.gov for more information