CASE NO. 16-1344- PSD-CN
CENTRAL BOAZ PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT,
a public utility.
NOTICE OF FILING
On September 29, 2016, the Central Boaz Public Service District (ãCentral Boaz PSDã) filed an application, duly verified, for a Certificate to undertake a sewer system improvement project (ãProjectã) in Wood County, West Virginia. The Project will include upgrading the waste water treatment plant by (a) replacing old sequencing batch reactor technology with newer, continuous feed sequencing batch reactors, (b) replacing the ultra violet disinfection unit, (c) installing a new permanent generator, (d) providing new telemetry and (e) making other minor, miscellaneous improvements. The Project includes constructing a new wastewater collection system to provide service to the Central area, including portions of the following roads: Williams Highway (State Route 14), Kendall Avenue, Summit Road, Glen Dale Road, Holly Hill Road, and Camp Ground Access Road and environs. The application is on file with and available for public inspection at the Public Service Commission, 201 Brooks Street, in Charleston, West Virginia, and at the District’s offices, 594 Davisville Road, Davisville, West Virginia.
Central Boaz PSD estimates that construction costs will total approximately $3,000,000. The Project is expected to be partially financed with a 40-year West Virginia Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan of $2,995,000, which is subject to an interest rate of 0.5% and an administrative fee of 0.5%. The balance of the cost is expected to be covered with a $5,000.00 grant from West Virginia Infrastructure & Jobs Development Council.
Central Boaz PSD anticipates charging the following rates to its customers upon completion of construction of the Project to be in effect for 96 months:
APPLICABILITY
Applicable within the entire territory served.
RATES
Customers with metered water supply will be charged according to the following rate:
Service Charge $16.86 per month
Usage Charge $11.76 per 1,000 gallons water usage
Customers with non-metered water supply will be charged a flat rate of $69.78 per month (equivalent to 4500 gallons of water usage).
MINIMUM MONTHLY CHARGE
No minimum bill will be rendered for metered service for less than $16.86 per month.
SERVICE CONNECTION CHARGE
A service connection fee of $350.00 will be charged to customers who apply for service outside of a certificate proceeding before the Commission for each new tap to the system.
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above tariff is net. On all current usage billings not paid in full when due, ten percent (10%) will be added to the net current amount unpaid. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and is to be collected only once for each bill where it is appropriate.
RETURNED CHECKS FOR INSUFFICIENT FUNDS
If a check is returned by the bank for any reason, the bank’s charge to Central Boaz PSD shall be Central Boaz PSD’s charge to the customer for such bad check, but such charge shall not exceed $25.00.
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
A rate of $1.24 per 1,000 gallons is to be used where the bill reflects unusual consumption which can be attributed to eligible leakage on the customer’s side of the meter. This rate shall be applied to all such consumption above the customer’s historic average usage.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
Not to exceed two-twelfths (2/12) of the annual average usage charge for the applicable class of customer or $50.00, whichever is greater.
SCHEDULE II
SURCHARGE FORMULA TO BE APPLIED IN THE CASES OF USERS PRODUCING
UNUSUAL WASTE
The charge for the treatment of unusual waste will be calculated on the basis of the following formula:
Ci = VoVi + BoBi + SoSi
Ci = charge to unusual user per year.
Vo = average unit cost of transport and treatment chargeable to volume, in dollars per gallons.
Vi = volume of waste water from unusual users, in gallons per year.
Bo = average unit of cost of treatment, chargeable to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), in dollars per pound.
Bi = weight of BOD from unusual users, in pounds per year.
So = average unit costs of treatment (including sludge treatment) chargeable to total solids, in dollars per pound.
Si = weight of total solids from unusual users, in pounds per year.
When an unusual user is to be served, a preliminary study of its wastes, and the cost of transport and treatment thereof, will be made. Waste containing materials which, in the judgement of the Public Service District, should not be introduced into the sewer system need not be handled by it. The results of this preliminary study will be used to determine the feasibility of the proposed sewer service and the charge therefore, based upon the formula set out above.
Thereafter, unusual sewage will be monitored on a regular basis and at the conclusion of each fiscal year, based on the investigation aforesaid and audit of the utility records, new cost figures will be calculated for use in the above formula. The cost of establishing the monitoring facilities shall be paid by the unusual user. Based on these audited figures, additional billings covering the past fiscal year will be made for payment by each unusual user, or refund given by the utility, as the case may be. Such audited figures will then be used for the preliminary billing for the next fiscal year, at the end of which an adjustment will be made as aforesaid.
SCHEDULE III
SURFACE OR GROUNDWATER SURCHARGE
An additional amount shall be charged where surface or groundwater is introduced into the sanitary system where evidence of a violation exists.
Surcharge formula to be applied in case where surface drainage is connected to the utilityás sewer system.
APPLICABILITY
Whenever the utility has discovered that a customerás roof drain, downspout, storm sewer, or other similar facilities conducting surface water have been connected to the Districtás sewer system, and such customer has failed to take appropriate action within thirty (30) days of receipt of a demand by the District, in accordance with Public Service Commission Sewer Rule 5.4.19, to eliminate such connection, a surcharge will be imposed upon the customer calculated on the basis of the following formula:
S=AxRx.0006233 xC
S = The surcharge in dollars
A = The area under roof and/or the area of any other water collection surface connected to the sanitary sewer, in square feet.
R = The measured monthly rainfall, in inches
.0006233 = A conversion factor to change inches of rain x square feet of a surface thousands of gallons of water.
.0008333 = A conversion factor to change inches of rain x square feet of surface water to $ per 100 cubic feet
C = The utilityás approved rate per thousand gallons of metered water usage.
The utility shall not impose the surcharge unless and until the customer has been notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by hand delivery, that it has been established by smoke testing, dye testing or on-site inspection that rain or other surface water is being introduced into the sanitary sewer system at the customerás location and that the customer has not acted within thirty (30) days from receipt of such notice to divert the water from the sanitary sewer system. Said surcharge shall be calculated and imposed for each month that said condition continues to exist, Failure to pay the surcharge and/or correct the situation shall give rise to the possible termination of water service in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.
The Step 1 rates represent the following Project-related monthly increases unless otherwise ordered:
($) INCREASE (%) INCREASE
Residential (3,400 gallons/month) $ 7.88 16.10%
Commercial (10,000 gallons/month) $18.64 16.09%
The proposed Step 1 increased rates and charges related to the Project will produce approximately $113,555 annually in additional revenue, an increase of 35.7%. The total increase granted will not exceed this estimate unless further notice is provided.
After the Step 1 Rates have been in effect for 96 months following completion of construction of the Project, Central Boaz PSD anticipates charging the following rates to its customers:
APPLICABILITY
Applicable within the entire territory served.
RATES
Customers with metered water supply will be charged according to the following rate:
Service Charge $16.45 per month
Usage Charge $11.48 per 1000 gallons water usage
Customers with non-metered water supply will be charged a flat rate of $68.11 per month (equivalent to 4500 gallons of water usage).
MINIMUM MONTHLY CHARGE
No minimum bill will be rendered for metered service for less than $16.45 per month.
SERVICE CONNECTION CHARGE
A service connection fee of $350.00 will be charged to customers who apply for service outside of a certificate proceeding before the Commission for each new tap to the system.
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above tariff is net. On all current usage billings not paid in full when due, ten percent (10%) will be added to the net current amount unpaid. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and is to be collected only once for each bill where it is appropriate.
RETURNED CHECKS FOR INSUFFICIENT FUNDS
If a check is returned by the bank for any reason, the bank’s charge to Central Boaz PSD shall be Central Boaz PSD’s charge to the customer for such bad check, but such charge shall not exceed $25.00.
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
A rate of $1.24 per 1,000 gallons is to be used where the bill reflects unusual consumption which can be attributed to eligible leakage on the customer’s side of the meter. This rate shall be applied to all such consumption above the customer’s historic average usage.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
Not to exceed two-twelfths (2/12) of the annual average usage charge for the applicable class of customer or $50.00, whichever is greater.
SCHEDULE II
SURCHARGE FORMULA TO BE APPLIED IN THE CASES OF USERS PRODUCING
UNUSUAL WASTE
The charge for the treatment of unusual waste will be calculated on the basis of the following formula:
Ci = VoVi + BoBi + SoSi
Ci = charge to unusual user per year.
Vo = average unit cost of transport and treatment chargeable to volume, in dollars per gallons.
Vi = volume of waste water from unusual users, in gallons per year.
Bo = average unit of cost of treatment, chargeable to Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), in dollars per pound.
Bi = weight of BOD from unusual users, in pounds per year.
So = average unit costs of treatment (including sludge treatment) chargeable to total solids, in dollars per pound.
Si = weight of total solids from unusual users, in pounds per year.
When an unusual user is to be served, a preliminary study of its wastes, and the cost of transport and treatment thereof, will be made. Waste containing materials which, in the judgement of the Public Service District, should not be introduced into the sewer system need not be handled by it. The results of this preliminary study will be used to determine the feasibility of the proposed sewer service and the charge therefore, based upon the formula set out above.
Thereafter, unusual sewage will be monitored on a regular basis and at the conclusion of each fiscal year, based on the investigation aforesaid and audit of the utility records, new cost figures will be calculated for use in the above formula. The cost of establishing the monitoring facilities shall be paid by the unusual user. Based on these audited figures, additional billings covering the past fiscal year will be made for payment by each unusual user, or refund given by the utility, as the case may be. Such audited figures will then be used for the preliminary billing for the next fiscal year, at the end of which an adjustment will be made as aforesaid.
SCHEDULE III
SURFACE OR GROUNDWATER SURCHARGE
An additional amount shall be charged where surface or groundwater is introduced into the sanitary system where evidence of a violation exists.
Surcharge formula to be applied in case where surface drainage is connected to the utilityás sewer system.
APPLICABILITY
Whenever the utility has discovered that a customerás roof drain, downspout, storm sewer, or other similar facilities conducting surface water have been connected to the Districtás sewer system, and such customer has failed to take appropriate action within thirty (30) days of receipt of a demand by the District, in accordance with Public Service Commission Sewer Rule 5.4.19, to eliminate such connection, a surcharge will be imposed upon the customer calculated on the basis of the following formula:
S=AxRx.0006233 xC
S = The surcharge in dollars
A = The area under roof and/or the area of any other water collection surface connected to the sanitary sewer, in square feet.
R = The measured monthly rainfall, in inches
.0006233 = A conversion factor to change inches of rain x square feet of a surface thousands of gallons of water.
.0008333 = A conversion factor to change inches of rain x square feet of surface water to $ per 100 cubic feet
C = The utilityás approved rate per thousand gallons of metered water usage.
The utility shall not impose the surcharge unless and until the customer has been notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by hand delivery, that it has been established by smoke testing, dye testing or on-site inspection that rain or other surface water is being introduced into the sanitary sewer system at the customerás location and that the customer has not acted within thirty (30) days from receipt of such notice to divert the water from the sanitary sewer system. Said surcharge shall be calculated and imposed for each month that said condition continues to exist, Failure to pay the surcharge and/or correct the situation shall give rise to the possible termination of water service in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.
The Step 2 rates represent the following Project-related monthly increases over current rates unless otherwise ordered:
($) INCREASE (%) INCREASE
Residential (3,400 gallons/month) $ 6.52 13.3%
Commercial (10,000 gallons/month) $15.43 13.3%
The proposed Step 2 increased rates and charges related to the Project will produce approximately $103,221 annually in additional revenue, an increase of 32.5%. The total increase granted will not exceed this estimate unless further notice is provided.
The increases shown are based on averages of all customers in the indicated class. Individual customers may receive increases that are greater or less than average.
Anyone desiring to protest or intervene should file a written protest or notice of intervention within 30 days following the date of this publication unless otherwise modified by Commission order. Failure to timely protest or intervene can affect your right to protest aspects of this certificate case, including any associated rate increases, or to participate in future proceedings. All protests or requests to intervene should briefly state the reason for the protest or intervention. Requests to intervene must comply with the Commission’s rules on intervention set forth in the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. All protests and interventions should be addressed to Sandra Squire, Executive Secretary, P. O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.
In the absence of substantial protest received within thirty (30) days of this publication, the Commission may waive formal hearing and grant the application based on the evidence submitted with said application and its review thereof.
Oct 6