The proposed Budget for 2012 includes the rate increase recommended by the 2010 User Rate Study (URS) update. In January, the volume charge will increase from $4.54 to $5.45 per 1,000 gallons. The base service fee will remain at $18.45. In total the average billing (based on 5000 gallons monthly water usage) for Rates A, C, D and G will increase $4.55 per month or $54.60 per year. The monthly surcharge on pressurized systems to cover the costs of maintenance, repair and replacement will also increase in January. The increases in the surcharge and volume charge will result in increases of a maximum of $7.30 per month or $87.60 annually (assuming a monthly water usage of 5000 gallons).

Many of you have probably noticed the new look of the sewer and electric bill you receive in the mail. Boone Electric Cooperative has switched from a custom, in-house computer program to a contract with a software company. The transition has been much more challenging than anticipated with many bugs in the system. Some bugs have been cured and others are still being treated. We appreciate your patience as we work through these problems. Feel free to call the office at 443-2774 if your bill looks incorrect or if you have any questions about how to read the bill. We will be happy to go over the bill with you and make any adjustments needed.

Please join us in thanking Dwayne Cooksey for twenty-five years of service to the District.

Arrowhead Lake Estates WWTP and the University Estates Lagoon are now closed. Rayfield Lagoon is next with a bid opening planned for early February. Other projects planned in 2012 include closing the Fairway Meadows East lift station, the Shaw WWTP and the Spring Park Lagoon. All of these facility closures are made possible by connecting to the City of Columbia's sanitary sewer system. Residents of these subdivisions remain District customers. The District continues to maintain the collection systems and pays the City to treat the wastewater.

Your water usage average is noted on your Boone Electric Bill. Make a note of that figure and check your water bills over the next few months. If the average we are using seems to be incorrect, give us a call at 443-2774 or send us an email. We will check our data and make sure we are charging you correctly.

Get more information on the water usage portion of your billing >

The following neighborhoods are scheduled for line maintenance sometime in the fall and winter: Cedar Gate, Cedar Lake, Fairway Meadows, Gaslight Acres, Gateway South, Lake Capri, Lakeland Acres, Maple Meadows, Newtown, Northgate, Old Plank, Sun Valley Estates and Water's Edge.

Learn more about line maintenance >

Customers on rate B, rate D and rate E pay for septic tank cleaning every five years.

Learn more about Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) systems and see the septic tank pumping schedule >

Not all homeowner policies include coverage of sewer back-ups. Coverage can be added for a minimal charge. Check your policy. Talk to your insurance agent. Make sure your home is covered.