The Washougal City Council has given the go-ahead to use $500,000 of unrestricted general fund reserves to provide a one-time, flat-rate reduction in water rates for residential homes.
The 2013 bi-monthly base rate reduction is $14.48 ($86.87 for the year). Prior to the reduction, the bi-monthly single family residential water rate was $60.38.
The city will undertake a cost of service analysis this year. It will include a review of the residential 10 unit base charge.
Washougal has a program that allows low income seniors to apply for discounted sewer and stormwater rates. The income levels had not been updated in the recent past.