Utility bill aims to provide water usage data, easy-to-read information

Staff Reports

CHINO HILLS – Residents of Chino Hills have a new utility bill that will cover water, sewer and trash starting this month.

The utility bill was redesigned following customer suggestions and ideas. Residents requested easy-to-follow information on water usage and consumption history as well as more clear and transparent language, according to a City-issued press release.

City Manager Rad Bartlam believes that the newly designed utility bill will help residents understand monthly water usage and remain vigilant in their water conservation efforts.
“Residents wanted to see their water usage in gallons, not the typical “hundred cubic feet (CCF)” used by water providers,” said Bartlam. “They also wanted to see the results of their water saving efforts on a monthly and yearly basis. The City is very interested in our residents having that information so that we can continue to work toward meeting our State-mandated 28 percent reduction in water use.”

Residents stated receiving the new utility bill along with a flyer explaining the new utility bill on Nov. 9.

The new utility bill includes a previous month and current month comparison of their total monthly water usage in gallons and CCFs.

According to city officials, customers will also see an easy-to-read bar graph that shows a month-by- month comparison of water consumption data for the current year and previous year, if the historical information is available for the account. Customers also have access to water consumption history online, but the new design will make it conveniently available on the monthly bill, officials added.

The water section of the bill includes charges for the system that delivers the water, as well as the cost of the water used. The line item “City Maintenance Charge,” reflects the costs to have the system ready to deliver water (water pipes, pumping stations, maintenance, personnel, etc.) and is based upon the size of the meter.

For residential properties, the cost of water is tiered, so the costs increase as the usage increases. The bill now reflects the Tier 1, 2, and 3 rates and provides the final total for water charges. The Tier rates also vary depending upon the rate zone, which is noted at the top of the bill under “Account Information.” The City is divided into three rate zones, based upon geography (low, intermediate, high), to reflect the costs of pumping the water to higher elevations.

The sewer section of the bill also includes the amount charged by the Inland Empire

Utilities Agency (IEUA) for sewer treatment labeled as “IEUA Pass-thru Treatment Fee,” and the “City Maintenance Charge” which reflects the costs to have the City’s sewer system ready to move sewage to the IEUA treatment Plant (sewer pipes, pumping stations, maintenance, personnel, etc.). “City Pumping Charge reflects the costs to pump sewage within the City sewer system, if necessary.

Trash charges on the bill are listed as a line item and the “Bill Summary” section has the typical items such as the last payment, outstanding balance, adjustments, current charges, and the total balance due. The bill also includes a “Special Message” section for messages of general interest to residents and businesses.