Both sewer plans ‘similar and viable’ economically

The city of Wimberley’s Wastewater Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the economics behind both the city-owned sewer plan and the Aqua Texas treatment plan and found that they are both “economically similar and viable.”

“After a thorough review of the Rate Calculation Spreadsheet and considering many input scenarios, the Committee chose a best effort possible scenario for the (Aqua Texas) plan and City-owned plan and found that both plans are economically similar and viable,” the conclusions from the committee report said. “From a non-economic risk basis such as environmental impact, community support, and cost/benefits to the community as a whole, these issues were beyond the scope of this Committee and were not addressed.”

In a report given to the city council last week, the committee determined there were 160 users of the system, a number significantly higher than to 90 to 100 users previously expected.

“In recognizing that there are often multiple commercial users on one water connection, the committee identified a total of approximately 119 commercial users, 33 residential users, 4 City of Wimberley locations with water capabilities,6 water well users, and 1 new user under construction for a total of 160 initial users of the wastewater system (City of Wimberley counted as 1 user).”

The committee broke down costs of the Aqua Texas plan and stated it expects the average monthly bill would be around $59 for a residential user, $67 for a typical small business and $5,200 for Deer Creek senior care, which is the largest user on the planned system. These estimates did not include any contribution from the city itself nor did it have treated effluent available for Blue Hole Regional Park.

For the city-owned plan, which includes treated effluent for Blue Hole Regional Park, the city estimated a $100,000 payment from the city, which is less than the previously estimated amount of up to $200,000 per year for access to the treated effluent.

The committee expects the average monthly bill would be around $70 per month for a residential user, $67 per month for a typical small business and $6,600 Deer Creek senior care.

The committee also suggested that the city have a professional financial consultant estimate revenues three to five years in the future “since new businesses will hook up to the wastewater system over time increasing revenue to the City. The inevitable increase of revenue to the City ensures the affordability of whichever of the two plans the City chooses,” the report said.

Beyond the discussion on the economic viability of the sewer system plans, the committee also recommended that the buy its own billing software and hire the necessary personnel to handle billing in house as well as “provide accommodations for users of the wastewater system with financial hardship to waive or subsidize their connection fee.”