Alexandria Renew Rate Restructuring Moves Forward

Many Alexandrians could see a drop of almost $7 in their quarterly wastewater treatment bills soon with the elimination of a billing services fee.

Residents who use less than 45,000 gallons of water each quarter are expected to see the reduction. The average residential customer uses about 12,000 gallons per quarter, according to Alexandria Renew Enterprises.

The Alexandria Renew Enterprises’ board of directors announced the change this week as part of a plan to restructure residential and commercial wastewater treatment and disposal charges.

The change will eliminate the $6.78 account service charge associated with the costs billed by Virginia American Water, which were then added to Alexandria Renew Enterprises customers’ quarterly bills.

Last year, Alexandria Renew cut its billing and customer service relationship with Virginia American and is now handling both of those administrative duties.

• See: Changes Coming to Area Water Bills

• See: Sanitation Authority Changes Name to Alexandria Renew Enterprises

However, the board plans a restructuring of Alexandria Renew’s wastewater treatment rates beginning Oct. 1 with a 15 cent increase per 1,000 gallons used on a quarterly basis. It will be the first increase in three years.

The Chesapeake Bay Protection Charge, which is about $17 for a typical resident, is not expected to increase.

• See: Higher Water Bills Surprise Residents

• See: Letter to the Editor: Alexandria Renew CEO on Rate Hikes

The company is taking comments on the restructuring plan through June 11 on its website, followed by a public meeting June 18 to discuss the plan and community comments.