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<br />this analysis and evaluation of rate structures of other communities using an inverted block <br />rate structure, the City will consider establishing a new definition of extraordinary water use. <br />It is believed that the current definition is not a sufficient incentive to reach a significant <br />portion of the customer base which utilize disproportionately large volumes of water. Since <br />the average volume of water consumed throughout the year is 5900 gallons/monthlECU, it <br />does not appear that a significant number of accounts would currently be subject to the <br />"extraordinary" water use charges which are triggered at either 15,000 gallons or 30,000 <br />gallons. <br /> <br />An additional rate disincentive for high water consumption is pumping charges assessed for <br />properties which are not provided with gravity service from the water treatment plant. <br />Primarily, these are residential areas located at or above the 8,040-foot level (8040 green <br />line) boundaries and requiring either one or two separate pumping stations in order to <br />provide service. The City currently charges $0.72 per thousand gallons for each level of <br />pumping. The City is considering increasing these charges to more fully recover the higher <br />costs of service for these areas, and may do so in connection with establishing the break <br />points under the inverted block rate structure. <br /> <br />h) Regulatory Measures-- <br />The City of Aspen has adopted a three-phase water shortage ordinance which implements <br />progressively mqrerestrictive limits on water use depending on the level of water shortage. <br />The ordinance has enforceable provisions against water wastage in effect at all times. <br /> <br />1) Incentives to Implement Water Use Efficiency Techniques-- <br />Lower tap fees are provided for water efficient landscapes and irrigation systems connected <br />to the potable system as described in Subsection (b). . <br /> <br />In addition, the City operates a raw water distribution system and encourages the use of <br />untreated water for landscape irrigation of large areas (See Section 2.1(b)). Significant <br />financial incentives exist to use raw water for irrigation over the use of potable water. No <br />tap fees are assessed for the raw water system and the annual water use charges are <br />approximately 1/3 that of the potable system. The raw water license agreements provide less <br />. ' . . assurance of .wateLavailability than.cpnoectioll.tothe potable.system.ancLtherefore.neecLnot. <br />. be assessed treatment costs nor costs of providing a "firm" source of supply. This system <br />is subject t6 a higher frequency of water shortages than the potable system as a result of the <br />physical configuration of the diversion structures in relation to streamflow elevations during <br />low-flow conditions. Contracts for raw water recognize the lower level of reliability and <br />ability to redlice supplies during critically dry periods and charges are significantly lower to <br />recognize these risks. <br /> <br />14 <br />