Watershed Management Plan - Mason County

Appendix
B Key Issues and Options – Water Quantity
water rates to discourage wasteful practices is authorized by RCW
35.92.010.
Mason County PUD #1 and Jefferson County PUD #1 both use tiered
water rates (Mason County PUD #1, 2005). Mason County PUD #1
generally has three tiers: a base charge for up to 400 cubic feet of water per
month (about 100 gallons per day), a higher charge for 400-1000 cubic feet
per month, and its highest tier for over 1000 cubic feet per month (which is
about 250 gallons per day). Jefferson County PUD #1 operates several
systems with slightly variable base rates, but the tier structure for each is
essentially the same, although Jefferson uses gallons as the unit of
measurement rather than cubic feet. At Lacy C on the Dosewallips River,
the PUD charges a base fee of $12.00 and $2.10 per 1000 gallons for the
first 11,000 gallons use (or about 367 gallons per day). Between 11,000 and
20,000 the rate is $3.00 per 1000 gallons and above 20,001 gallons the rate
is $3.30 per 1000 gallons (Bill Graham, Jefferson County PUD #1,
comments submitted September 2005).
The Planning Unit could recommend that these existing incentives be
increased or implemented by other water providers, or that other methods
(such as charging more during the summer) be explored or implemented.
Option 9.
Offer rebates for low-flow fixtures and appliances
Ultra-low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush compared to older toilets
which can use 3.5 gallons or greater per flush. Similarly, low-flow shower
heads and faucets can offer dramatic water savings, as can other appliances
that use minimal water. Although the state building code requires ultralow-flow
toilets and water-conserving faucets and showerheads in new
construction and remodels, existing fixtures are not subject to the code.
The Planning Unit could work with local governments and water providers
to offer rebates on low-flow fixtures and appliances.
Option 10.
Encourage or require water meters for all users
Collecting information on water use can be useful both to the water user
and to planners. Individual water users can benefit from water meters by
understanding how much water they use and then measuring the success of
any water conservation efforts. If the information is supplied to planners,
water use data can aid in understanding typical use patterns and planning
for water supply needs, as well as for measuring the success of water
conservation efforts.
Installation of water meters could be pursued either through voluntary or
mandatory efforts. The Department of Ecology does have statutory
authority to require any water right holder to measure their water use (RCW
90.03.060). The Department also has authority to require any ground water
withdrawal, including those from permit-exempt wells, to be measured and
the data supplied to the Department (RCW 90.44.050, 90.44.250, and RCW
page 100 Final Plan for County Adoption – May 11, 2006