UPDATE: The city of Alpine announced late yesterday that it is now going to Stage 2 water restrictions.

Pool opening contingent on city’s return to Stage 3 water restrictions

Alpine

Residents got a reprieve from higher water rates on May 19 when the Alpine City Council voted down a measure that could have increased the base rate by as much as $5 and the usage rate $1 per 1,000 gallons to $1.50 per 1,000 gallons. Rate increases still could be possible in the coming weeks, depending on city finances facing new well expenditures.

The vote was unanimous, after City Council members requested information comparing usage rates from other area municipalities and instructing city staff to bring the proposal back for a vote during the June 16 council meeting.

The council considered the rate increases after saying funds are needed to help pay for a new municipal well that is currently being dug to replace the failed Roberts Well #3 and to help fund future infrastructure projects needed after decades of delay.

Roberts Well #3 suffered a mechanical failure in late April and was later found to be structurally unsound.

The loss of Roberts Well #3 reduced the water supply to the west side of Alpine, triggering an emergency that quickly escalated from Stage 3 to Stage 4 water restrictions.

Currently, the city is following Stage 4, trucking water across town to serve the west side, taking steps to purchase water from the privately owned Cartwright Well and racing to dig a new well next to the Roberts Well #3. The city has contracted with Skinner’s Drilling and Well Service to construct the well.

The council did approve a plan to fill and open the newly repaired and updated municipal pool once the Cartwright Well has been brought online and is functioning to ease the water emergency.

The addition of the Cartwright Well will allow the city to return to Stage 3 water restrictions and allow residents to water their lawns again, said council members. City staff estimated May 29 is the earliest the pool could possibly open but cautioned that it was contingent on there being no issues with the Cartwright Well.

City officials have estimated the cost of the new municipal well at $1 million and a loan range for the project at $500,000 to $ 1 million.

These estimates place the annual debt service between $53,000 and $107,859, and the monthly debt service between $4,494 and $8,988, said city officials.

While City Manager Henry Arredondo and multiple council members expressed support for adding $4 to the base rate and an increase of $1 to $1.50 for usage, at least one council member felt it was too high.

“I wouldn’t be comfortable with $4,” said Councilmember Lucy Escovedo. “It feels like a punishment.” Escovedo suggested a hike of $3 instead.

If rate hikes are approved in June, the city would need to post the increase in the newspaper and give customers 30 days’ notice, said Arredondo, when questioned by Stephens regarding the process.

“So that gives us a July effective date,” Stephens said.

An updated version of the City of Alpine 2025 Water Rate Study Water and System Financial Sustainability & Rate Review, conducted by Communities Unlimited—referred to by city staff Tuesday night—predicted that a $4 rate increase would bring in an additional $133,392 in annual revenue.

The study also found that, “The system is currently operating at a deficit, which limits the city’s ability to invest in long-term projects, address system maintenance needs, and maintain sufficient reserves for emergencies.”  The study set the system’s annual deficit at $93,410.

“The rate study identifies existing operational deficits within the water utility system, outlines multiple rate adjustment scenarios, and concludes that additional recurring revenue is necessary to fund critical infrastructure improvements, improve emergency preparedness, strengthen reserve funding, and support eligibility for future grant and low-interest financing opportunities,” said city officials in their presentation to the council.

The study recommended increases of $5 for the base rate and $1 per 1,000 gallons to $1.50 per 1,000 gallons for usage.