By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
One of Monday’s City Commission meeting agendas calls for the City Manager to consider developing, implementing and administering a “Water Rate Relief Pilot Program," if approved by commissioners.
This follows the recent public study session regarding the water quality issues and undrinkable water being experienced in various neighborhoods.
Read more: Salina City Commission study session on troubled waters
During the session back on July 1, Director of Utilities Martha Tasker said that advertising for bids to replace service lines on Dover Drive, North 10th, North 11th, and Larson could go out by the end of July. Bids could be awarded by this fall, but that does not guarantee work could begin before 2027.
After that discussion, the city revealed staff began developing an administrative framework to provide monetary relief to residents experiencing verified water quality impacts associated with the public water system.
The objective of this policy would be to provide relief for the Water Base Charge, Water Usage Charge, and State Water Fee that appear on monthly billing statements
The city stated programs like these “are not common in municipal utility practice.” They have stated this direction is being considered as a “rate relief program.”
According to the city, relief would be provided in the form of a rebate and/or rate holiday and would remain in place until the city determines that water quality at the location has materially improved or until infrastructure replacement or other corrective action has addressed the condition.
Residents who are determined to qualify under the policy would be eligible for retroactive rebate of covered water charges back to January 1, 2026, and would continue to receive temporary rate relief until testing and operational review indicate that conditions have sufficiently improved, according to the city.
The city has approximately 22,000 water customer accounts. From the city’s basis on “complaint history and staff’s current understanding of affected areas,” they estimate the number of customers who may qualify for this program is fewer than 100.
However, the actual number will depend on the final eligibility criteria and verification process.
Moreover, the city estimates the annual cost of the program could range from $60,000 to $100,000 based on current assumptions. The total amount will also depend on factors such as qualifying accounts, the timing of replacement, seasonal usage patterns, and the duration of participation before water main replacement or other corrective work is completed.
This policy/program would be developed over the next several weeks if approved.
Monday's public meeting will be held at will begin at 4:00 pm inside Room 107 of the City-County Building, 300 West Ash Street.
For those who cannot attend the meeting, you can watch the livestream on YouTube by clicking here.
For more information on Salina Post speaking with residents of Dover Drive, read more about: "We just want answers and clean water": Dover Dr. residents speak on water quality issue
Salina Post will provide updates on this developing story