WATER SEWER RATE INCREASE

The City of Tea is implementing a new water rate structure and sewer fees effective March 1^st, 2024. Customers will begin seeing the new rates on their April 1^st, 2024 billing for water used between March 1^st and April 1^st. There are two components to the new rate structure. A new sewer surcharge and an adjustment to the water usage tiers.

The City has officially established a sewer connection to the City of Sioux Falls. The City began pumping sewer discharge to Sioux Falls in January of 2024. The City received a loan from the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) requiring the implementation of surcharges to cover an annual loan payment. The new bills will reflect two surcharges including a System Development Charge payable to the City of Sioux Falls in the amount of $6.50 per month and a $12.00 per month surcharge for the construction of the pump station and connection line.

As the City of Tea grows our community will face future water capacity issues. The City Council is seeking to emphasize conservation of water and the practice of good lawn watering habits. In order to achieve this goal the City is re-adjusting our water rate tiers to discourage high water usage. There are three tiers of usage based on gallons used per month. The first 10,000 gallons used will be billed at $4.25 per 1,000. Usage between 10,000 and 25,000 gallons will be billed at $6.50 $4.75 per 1,000 gallons. The highest tier water usage above 25,000 gallons will see the largest increase to $25.00 per 1,000 gallons metered. The base water rate will also increase 25 cents per month to $4.75. Two additional base charges for a Water Tower fee and Lewis and Clark fee will remain at $4.00 per month.

Below is a breakdown of the residential water and sewer rates. This includes the base rates, the new tiered water rates and the sewer surcharges. For any questions please feel free to contact City Hall at (605)498-5195 or email cityadmin@teasd.org. The City of Tea thanks our customers for your continued support.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW WATER RATE RESOLUTION

Residential Water Rate (Billed Monthly Based on Usage):

BASE CHARGES

Base Charge = $4.75
Water Tower Fee = $4.00
Lewis and Clark Fee = $4.00
Total Base Charges = $12.75

RESIDENTIAL USAGE CHARGES

0- 9,999 Gallons = $4.25 per 1,000
10,000 - $24,999 Gallons = $6.50 $4.75 per 1,000
25,000 Gallons + = $25.00 per 1,000

Waste Water Rate (Billed Monthly based on Usage):

Base Rate = $32.00
Regionalization Phase 1 SDC Fees = $6.50 $4.75 Per Month
Regionalization Phase 2 Construction = $12.00 Per Month
The monthly minimum charge for residential water and sewer including base rate and surcharges with zero consumption = $63.25

Below is a compairson of how this will effect your water bill.

FAQs About Water Meters - Information Resources used:American Water Works Association(AWWA) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Water_Works_Association

Q: Do I own my water meter?
A: The city owns and maintains the water meter. Therefore they will need to enter your residence to repair or replace the meter.

Q: What is a Smart Water Meter?
A: A Smart Water Meter uses sensors and wireless technology to track water use in real time. Some utilities offer them to help customers conserve water.

Q: What if my water bill suddenly increases?
A: It could be a leak or a faulty appliance. Consider having a plumber inspect your system. All meters are calibrated and tested in the factory before they are shipped. The American Water Works Association requires meters to be within 98.5 and 101.5% accuracy to be usable. This allows for an error rate of 1.5% low or high. Much like an automobile, the meter slows down and eventually can stop registering completely, but it cannot arbitrarily run faster than it was designed to run.

Q: Do I need to allow the city inside my home to read the meter?
A: Only if your meter does not have an external transmitter or remote-reading capability. Otherwise, readings are done electronically. To replace the meter they do need to enter your residence.

Q: Should I record my meter reading before buying, selling, or renting a property?
A: Yes. Documenting readings protects both buyers/sellers and landlords/tenants from billing disputes.

Q: How often should I check my water meter?
A: At least once a month. This helps verify your bill and catch leaks early.

Q: Does outdoor water use (lawn watering, car washing) count on my meter?
A: Yes. All water entering your property passes through your meter and is billed.

Q: How is my water bill measured, read and billed?

A: The City of Tea provides water to over 5,000 customers. The City reads water meters monthly to determine each customers water usage for the current month.

Q: When should a water meter be replaced?

A: water meter should be replaced when one of the following conditions are met: when the meter has served 15 to 20 years, or when it is inaccurately displaying the volume of water used in a home. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) allows water meters to have an error rate of 1.5 percent. This means that meters must read between 98.5 and 101.5 percent of the accurate water usage in a home. Before deciding on meter replacement, ensure no leaks are present anywhere from the meter to the home. A leak greatly alters the reading of the meter, and what seems like exaggerated volumes of water may be accurate if the leak persists.

Q: Can a water meter be defective and speed up?

A: No, a defective water meter cannot speed up and inaccurately record higher usage; mechanical meters tend to slow down or stop registering, not speed up, failing in a way that benefits the consumer. If your water meter reading seems to have sped up, the cause is most likely a water leak in your plumbing system or an external factor, not a malfunctioning meter.

Why meters don't speed up?

Mechanical limitations: Water meters are mechanical devices calibrated at the factory to be accurate within a small margin. As they age or wear down, their internal parts get dirty or worn, causing them to register less water flow, not more.

Industry standard: For the meter to be considered usable, it must be within a specified range of accuracy, usually between 98.5% and 101.5%. A mechanical fault that makes the meter register an excessive amount of water usage is mechanically impossible, similar to a car suddenly going 500 mph when it was designed to go 100 mph.

What to do if your meter reading is high?

Check for leaks: A high water bill usually points to a leak in your home's plumbing.

Perform a leak test: Turn off all water-using devices and check the meter. If it's still moving, you have a leak.

Inspect your plumbing: Check toilets, faucets, irrigation systems, and visible pipes for any signs of leaks or drips.

You may need to contact a plumber.

Q: Can a water meter be defective and slow down?

A: Yes, a water meter can be defective and run slowly, leading to under-registering the actual water usage. As water meters age, their internal mechanical parts wear down, causing them to become less accurate and register less water than what actually passes through them. While meters cannot arbitrarily run faster than their design, they are prone to mechanical faults that can make them slow down or even stop registering completely.

How a slow meter works:

Internal wear: The most common reason for a slow meter is the wear and tear on its internal components over time.

Mechanism failure: As the parts inside the meter wear down, they become less efficient, resulting in less water being counted.

Examples of wear: The problem can be likened to a car's parts wearing out, eventually causing the car to perform poorly.

What to do if you suspect a faulty meter:

Check for leaks: Before assuming the meter is faulty, perform a leak test to ensure your own plumbing isn't causing a high bill.

Contact your water utility: If you suspect your meter is faulty, contact your water supplier. They can check the accuracy of the meter.

Water Meters: Things toKnow

Almost every home has a water meter. Its main job is to measure how much water your household uses, which determines your water bill. Most municipalities calculate wastewater disposal based on the water coming into your home.

Your Water Bill Includes Wastewater

Cities assume that the water coming in is the same amount flowing into the wastewater system. In the Tea area, your bill will break down charges for both water and sewage.

Water usage is typically measured in gallons.

Where Is My Water Meter?

In most homes, the water meter is located in the basement near the front wallthe side closest to the street where the main water pipe enters underground.

In South Dakota, water lines are installedseveral feet deep (below the frost line).

The line connects to a street-side valve inside your basement.

The water meter is installed after that valve, followed by a house-side valve.

These valves allow the city or a plumber to shut off water to replace or service the meter. As a homeowner, you can use either valve to shut off water in an emergency.

Gate Valves vs. Ball Valves

Gate valves (older style) use a small gate that raises and lowers to control flow. They often wear out and are harder to operate.

Ball valves (modern style) use a stainless-steel ball with a hole drilled through it. They last longer and are easier to turn on and off with a lever handle.
Parallel to the pipe = open
Perpendicular to the pipe = closed

The Curb Stop Emergency Shut-Offs

The curb stop is a shut-off valve installed underground near the property line. Cities use it to shut off water at the street if needed.

If plumbers need to work quickly, waiting for the city to turn water off can cause delays and extra fees. To avoid this, plumbers often use a pipe-freezing system that temporarily freezes the water inside the pipe, allowing safe repairs without city intervention.

Modern Water Meter Technology

Now: most cities use RFID technology that allows workers to read meters remotely from a drive-by vehicle.
Smart meters: Newer meters can detect leaks and send alerts. Utilities may also notify you if unusual water usage is detected. The City of Tea uses Smart meters.

What To Do If You Suspect a Leak or Meter Issue

*Turn off all water in your home.
*Check the meterif the dial or digital display is still moving, you likely have a leak.
*Contact a licensed plumber if you suspect a leak. If the meter is not moving, contact the city maintenance department.

Water Restriciton Ordinance #305

2024 INCREASE EFFECTIVE WITH MARCH USAGE BILLED IN APRIL

WATER
Base Charge:$4.75
Watertower Fee: $4.00
Lewis Clark Fee: $4.00

SEWER
Sewer Fee: $32.00
SDC Surcharge $6.50
SF Regionalization $12.00

0-9,999 Gallons: $4.25
10,000-24,999 Gallons: $6.50
25,000+ gallons: $25.00

Residential Monthly Minimum Charge $63.25. A usage of 5 on your utility bill is 5,000 gallons of actual usage.

UPDATED 4/1/2024
Water Tower Fee: $4.00
Lewis Clark Fee: $4.00
$4.25 per 1,000 gallons used
Sewer Fee $32.00
Sewer Debt Fee $6.50
SF Regionalization Fee $12.00

Usage Fee - 7,000 gallons up - $3.00 per 1,000 gallons of water usage

Meter Size Base
3/4" $ 4.75
1" $20.25
1 1/2" $25.25
2" $30.25
3" $35.25
4" $40.25

Water financial assistance programs are designed to help individuals or families who are struggling to pay their water bills. These programs provide temporary relief or support through discounted rates, payment plans, or direct financial aid. While they can be offered by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or utility providers, its important to note that these particular programs are not affiliated with the City of Tea. Therefore, they are likely separate from local municipal programs and might operate independently, offering assistance based on different criteria or qualifications. You may need to check the specific eligibility requirements and application process for these programs to access the support. Click on link below

Water financial assistance programs