RATES: Check your bills this quarter for the latest news on rates, stormwater, cost-saving

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District customers billed by Cleveland Water will receive a bill insert this quarter offering a reminder of the upcoming rate changes, cost-saving opportunities, and Regional Stormwater Management Program news.

A copy of the insert content is featured below.

NEWS: Trustees set rates for 2017-2021, move to monthly billing also new January 1

Construction underway at the Easterly Treatment Plant.

Annual increase of 8.3%, average bill increases by about $4 per month beginning in 2017

Today, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the 2017 through 2021 rate schedule effective January 1, 2017.

Beginning January 1, the Sewer District also moves to monthly billing for sewer rates for Cleveland Water customers. The move is based on its billing agent Cleveland Water making its transition away from quarterly billing. All non-Cleveland Water customers will continue to be billed quarterly.

Projected monthly average residential bills from 2017 through 2021—based on our customers' average water consumption of 4,675 gallons per month—for Subdistrict 1 (Cleveland) and Subdistrict 2 (suburbs) can be found online.

Sewer District rates are set every five years following a comprehensive study of anticipated expenditures. Officials thoroughly analyze a variety of factors, including:

• Planned infrastructure investment projects
• Maintenance and repair of existing sewers
• Increased capacity at wastewater treatment facilities
• Other construction projects including Project Clean Lake’s federally mandated construction
• Anticipated increases in chemical and energy costs
• Existing and future debt service requirements

Two other components of the rate increase include the creation of a Member Community Infrastructure Program which would assist the Sewer District’s 62 member communities with local sewer infrastructure issues; and an increase in eligible customers' participation in the Sewer District’s affordability programs from 50% to 80% over the rate schedule period.

The fees for the Regional Stormwater Management Program per ERU (Equivalent Residential Unit) will not change during this rate cycle.

EVENT: 5 ways our Roadshows are not your typical public meeting

Every year we study rates and make projections for our financial future, we host public meetings to offer customers more information about their fees. This year is no different. But it will be different.

While that information is always critical, the standard introduction/PowerPoint/Q&A/thank-you-and-goodnight public-meeting structure does not always benefit those who take time to join us, and it's hard to cover the extent of how we use your sewer fees to protect our environment and your health.

For the first time ever, our series of what we're calling Roadshows—Your Sewer District, the next 5 years—brings an open-house style event across our service area to help you get the most out of the experience. Here's how:

Come when you want
Our evening meetings are open from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and our Saturday event is from 9:00 a.m. until noon. You can join us at any time during those hours to get questions answered, hear a presentation, or speak to our Customer Service reps. All the dates and locations are posted to find the one nearest you.

See what you like
The driving force behind these meetings are the proposed rates for the years 2017-2021. We know there are questions and concerns, and we'll have presentations scheduled every half-hour during the events. But we'll also have information booths about previous, current, and future construction projects, our lab work, our maintenance responsibilities, and more. Stop and visit any or all of the areas of most interest to you. It's where your sewer bill goes every quarter.

Talk to and hear from the experts
Our financial folks know finances. But they may not be experts in permit limits, traffic woes due to construction, or how to sign up for a cost-saving program. We'll have plenty of the right people there to help you.

Get questions answered
Do you want to know about stormwater fee credits? Or how your business can get registered as a vendor with us for work opportunities? The experts will know what you need and you'll find help at these events.

Take advantage of opportunities
Cost-savings, vendor registration, career opportunities, tour and presentation requests, all of these are opportunities to benefit you. Stop by and take action with a member of our team.

NEWS: Special Sewer District Board of Trustees Meeting tomorrow April 25

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 11 a.m. to review the Sewer District’s preliminary rate study analysis and possible rate schedule for 2017-2021.

The Board will not vote on rate changes at this time.

Rates are determined based on a number of factors, including capital infrastructure investment, debt service, projected consumption and cost-saving program participation, as well as predictive costs for overhead expenses including utility rates and chemical costs.

To help customers understand the Sewer District’s comprehensive plans for the next five years, the organization will conduct a series of informational programs.  These meetings—“Your Sewer District… the next five years”—will be held at the following locations:

Thursday, May 19, 5 – 7 p.m.
Nordonia High School, Auditorium
8006 South Bedford Road, Macedonia, Ohio 44056

Wednesday, May 25, 5 – 7 p.m.
Cuyahoga Community College, Western Campus, B Atrium in B Building
11000 Pleasant Valley Road, Parma, Ohio 44130

Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Cuyahoga Community College, Eastern Campus, Student Services Building (President’s Plaza)
4250 Richmond Road, Highland Hills, Ohio 44122

Wednesday, June 8, 5 – 7 p.m.
Cuyahoga Community College, Jerry Sue Thornton Center, Ford Room
2500 East 22nd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115

At these events, customers will be able to learn more about the Sewer District’s responsibilities and plans for the next five years.

The events will have an open format and representatives from many Sewer District departments—customer service, operations and maintenance, watershed programs, water quality & industrial surveillance, engineering and construction, and analytical services—will be there to share their department’s responsibilities. There will be several brief presentations throughout the event.

Additional information about “Your Sewer District… the next five years” is available online at neorsd.org/next5 or by contacting Customer Service at 216.881.8247 or askus@neorsd.org.

OUTREACH: Educational roadshows coming to a community near you this spring

Over the next five years, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is making a huge investment in Greater Cleveland.

Whether it’s tunnels, sewers, pump stations, stormwater solutions or green infrastructure, we are making improvements to keep our Great Lake great.

To help our ratepayers understand what this investment means to them, we will host meetings throughout our 62-community Service Area. Representatives will be available to discuss a variety of topics, including:

• Construction plans
• Stormwater management
• Business and career opportunities
• Rates, how rates are determined, and cost-saving programs
• Water quality issues and challenges
• How we treat and monitor water quality to manage more than 90 billion gallons of sanitary sewage each year

All are welcome. UPDATE April 5, 2016: Communication prior today may have included different dates. The information below is the latest.

Thursday, May 19
Nordonia High School
5:00-7:00 p.m.
8006 South Bedford Road
Macedonia

Wednesday, May 25
Tri-C West Campus
5:00-7:00 p.m.
11000 Pleasant Valley Road
Parma, Ohio 44130
B Atrium in Building B

Saturday, June 4
Tri-C East Campus
9:00 a.m.-Noon
4250 Richmond Road
Highland Hills, Ohio 44122
Student Services Building / Presidents Plaza

Wednesday, June 8
Tri-C Metro Campus
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Jerry Sue Thornton Center
2500 East 22nd Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Ford Room

VIDEO: How are rates determined? / Download a PDF

FLINT: Health, trust, and funding in the wake of Flint's water crisis

Three issues are critical to the future of clean water systems, Sewer District fully supports Value of Water Coalition guidelines for sustainable future 

If Charleston and Toledo were water-quality wake-up calls, Flint is the living nightmare for residents, officials, and the entire country.

The 2014 Elk River chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia and the 2014 toxic algae outbreak near Toledo, Ohio represented the dangers of taking water-resource protection for granted. As Flint, Michigan residents now rely on bottled water while the safety of and trust in the city’s infrastructure must be restored, the painful reality is one that is decades in the making.

"Drinking water and wastewater utilities systems do and must protect not only the water resources, but the people that rely upon them," said Julius Ciaccia, Chief Executive Officer of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

"We must work together to ensure infrastructure can be safe, trusted, and affordable for future generations."

In response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, the Value of Water Coalition, a collaboration consisting of private and public water agencies—including the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District—as well as several other stakeholders, recently released a set of guidelines to ensure a sustainable water future for all. Those guidelines, fully supported by the Sewer District, include:

RATES: 2016 rates take effect January 1, cost-saving programs available to eligible customers

The 2016 rates in blue take effect January 1, 2016.

On January 1, 2016, our Cleveland sewer rate increases to $78.05 per MCF (1,000 cubic feet of water or 7,480 gallons) and suburban rates increase to $79.85 per MCF. See the full rate schedule.

Reduced rates are available to customers who meet Homestead or Affordability Program criteria. We also have other cost-saving programs available.

The increases seen in the 2012-2016 rate schedule are due to major construction projects and a 25-year program to reduce combined sewer overflows known as Project Clean Lake. We are currently finishing a rate study to determine the next rate schedule slated to begin in 2017.

RELATED NEWS:

• SAVE: Four cost-saving programs may help you reduce your sewer bill 
• NEWS: Euclid Creek Tunnel completed $3.6 million under budget
• VIDEO: Take Christen and Ryan's 2-minute treatment plant tour

RATES: 2015 rates take effect January 1, find out if you qualify for cost-saving programs

On January 1, 2015, our Cleveland sewer rate increases to $69.65 per MCF (1,000 cubic feet of water or 7,480 gallons) and suburban rates increase to $71.75 per MCF. See the full rate schedule.

Reduced rates are available to customers who meet Homestead or Affordability Program criteria. We also have other cost-saving programs available.

The increases seen in the 2012-2016 rate schedule are due to major construction projects and a 25-year program to reduce combined sewer overflows known as Project Clean Lake. We will conduct a study in 2015 to determine the next rate schedule slated to begin in 2017.

RATES: New 2014 rates go into effect January 1, four ways to save

Our 2014 rate schedule goes into effect January 1, and there are four cost-saving programs available for qualifying customers.

The 2014 base charge is $6.60 per bill. Cleveland residents pay $62.15 per MCF ($37.75 for Homestead or Affordability Program customers), and suburban customers pay $64.55 per MCF ($38.95 for Homestead or Affordability Program customers). One MCF is 1,000 cubic feet of water consumption, equal to 7,480 gallons. Rates are charged based on actual consumption. See the full 2014-2016 rate schedule.

The 2012-2016 rates are based on maintenance and operation needs, but also account for major infrastructure investments like Project Clean Lake, a 25-year $3 billion plan to reduce pollution in Lake Erie by about 4 billion gallons a year by 2035.

We do offer four cost-saving programs that can help eligible customers pay a reduced rate: Homestead, Wastewater Affordability, Summer Sprinkling, and Crisis Assistance. All of these are briefly referenced below and detailed at neorsd.org/save.

NEWS: Rate changes, cost-saving options to keep in mind for 2013

The news on this December 31, 2012 is focused mainly on the fiscal cliff. Whatever Congress decides tonight, it won't have any impact on the sewer rate changes that go into effect in 2013.

The second year of our five-year rate schedule kicks off tomorrow, January 1. The table above is taken from our website and it includes all the relevant links to the affordability program, other cost-saving programs and eligibility criteria, and more.

These changes do not reflect the new regional stormwater management program fees or credit opportunities that begin January 1, 2013. Sewer rate increases in this five-year schedule fund large-scale projects like those included in our 25-year program Project Clean Lake, plus other essential improvements and ongoing maintenance and operation costs.

If you have questions about these rates, or our 2013 stormwater fees, you can email us or tweet us @neorsd or @wallywaterdrop

NEWS: Mayans schmayans, here are 2013 predictions NE Ohioans can count on.

So we have survived the predictions of the apocalypse, but that doesn't mean there aren't important endings and beginnings to talk about.

Here are just a few of our more-certain 2013 predictions as we take a moment to prophesy:

SAVE: Affordability Program app available online

Administered by partners at the Cleveland Housing Network, Wastewater Affordability Program applications are now available as a PDF download from CHN's website.

• Link to CHN's utility assistance programs
• Download a Wastewater Affordability Program PDF application
• Learn more about our cost-saving programs

The Sewer District's wastewater affordability program—along with expansion of its Homestead program—were launched in 2011 as part of its 2012-2016 rates schedule. All of the Sewer District's cost-saving programs were promoted with a customer mailing in November that resulted in Customer Service call volumes more than six times its weekly average.

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and Cleveland Division of Water customers may apply if they meet the income guidelines posted on CHN's utility assistance page. 

The Sewer District also is developing a crisis assistance program that will benefit customers affected by a major event in their lives, such as major medical expenses not covered by any other source, job loss, separation, or divorce. The program will offer financial assistance (up to $300) toward your account and suspends water shut-off action. Program details will be available later this year.

DOLLARS AND SENSE: Ways we are controlling costs

How are we keeping our Great Lake great and controlling costs?

We take our customers' investment in our work very seriously. Clean water protects the health and safety of all the citizens in our region, and we are proud of the work we do. But we understand customers want to be sure we are managing their rates efficiently, especially in the first year of a rate increase. Here are several examples of cost-saving efforts and examples we have noted in recent years.

RATES: Changes effective Jan. 1

On January 1, 2012, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's rates and billing structure is changing. Here is a summary to help you better understand the changes.

No more minimum charge
Before 2012, users were charged a for 1,000 cubic feet of water (1 MCF, or 7,480 gallons) of water consumption, even if their actual usage was lower. This year, that minimum charge is eliminated and replaced by a base charge of $5.85, which means those who use less than 1 MCF per quarter initially will see a decrease in their sewer bills. View the rate schedule

Higher Homestead discount
Increasing the Homestead Program rate reduction from 33% to 40%, which will assist low-income seniors and customers will disabilities. The income limit for Homestead applicants in 2012 will be $30,500. Read more

New Affordability program
We are adding a Wastewater Affordability Program to our cost-saving programs offerings to benefit those with income level at/below 200% Federal poverty level (e.g. Family of four < $44,700). Learn about all of our cost-saving programs | View all Affordability Program income limits

Crisis Assistance program coming in late 2012
We are designing a Crisis Assistance Program (e.g. Medical expenses, job loss) which will be detailed in late 2012.

To learn more about what to expect in your first bills of 2012, contact us or our Customer Service department at (216) 881-8247.

ASK US: "I shut off my water. Why do I have sewer charges?"

Our Ask Us! page recently received the following email from a customer who spends several months a year out west:

I spend the winter in Arizona. I shut my water off but I still have sewer charges. Is there any way of avoiding these charges since i'm not using my water for almost 8 months?

It's a good question. The direct answer is "No," but I'll quickly follow-up by saying, "but here's what we're doing..."

First, a bit of background: For most customers, we bill based on water-meter readings (water consumption, measured in MCF which is 1,000 cubic feet or 7,480 gallons) because most water entering the home eventually exits into a sewer. A typical customer account uses 1.875 MCF per quarter, or about 14,025 gallons of water. Many customers use less than 1 MCF per quarter, but through 2011, our accounting method has assessed accounts a 1 MCF minimum charge, even when the actual metered consumption was less than 7,480 gallons. We shared some of the reasons for the minimum charge during our 2011 series of public rate meetings.

That is changing January 1, 2012 to the benefit of many small users, and even for special circumstances like our Ask Us! emailer.

As we presented last spring, our fee structure is changing in 2012, replacing the 1 MCF minimum (about $30-50, depending on your community) with a $5.85 base fee plus the actual metered-consumption charge.

Here's an example.

A small user in Cleveland, based on .63 MCF over a three-month period in 2011, would be charged for a full 1 MCF, or $44 for the quarter. Starting next year, that same customer—based on the $5.85 charge and actual consumption charges—would pay $37 per quarter. The charges will be based on actual consumption, rather than the 1 MCF minimum.

And that example doesn't even take our expanded cost-saving programs into account.

The 1 MCF minimum charge had been a significant challenge for many customers. As we reviewed our rate options last year, eliminating this charge and instituting a base fee was an opportunity to serve our customers while enabling us to meet the funding challenges ahead.

CUSTOMERS: Call volumes higher as interest in savings programs grows

Call volumes to our Customer Service department are higher this week as residents are applying for and requesting details about the Sewer District's expanded cost-saving programs.

Last Thursday, the Sewer District began mailing its letter to customers explaining the 2012 rate schedule and new program offerings, and residents began receiving those letters yesterday.

Our Customer Service representatives are working efficiently to answer customers' questions. You may also visit our Ask Us! page to submit your question online.

NEWS: Customers will receive letter this week explaining rates, saving programs

Sewer bills are going up the first quarter of 2012, and all Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District customers will receive a letter being mailed this week explaining the 2012 rate schedule and new cost-saving programs.

Read the letter | Download the cost-saving programs brochure

Now apply for summer sprinkling program online

Yesterday, our Customer Service department launched its new online application for the summer sprinkling rate-saving program. View the form.

Trustees approve sewer rate increase for 2012-2016

Today, Trustees of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District voted to accept the recommendation to increase sewer rates effective January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2016. The dissenting votes were Parma Mayor Dean DePiero and Middleburg Heights Mayor Gary Starr.

Report on public meetings' turnout provided to Trustees this week

During April and May, six public meetings provided customers opportunities to hear and react to the Sewer District's proposed 2012-2016 rate schedule and new affordability program. More than 490 residents attended, and a summary report will be provided to District Trustees this week.