Why does the use of “one-time” revenues have an impact on the water and sewer rates?
One-time revenues that the City once used to subsidize the water and sewer rates are no longer available. These revenues came primarily from use of water and sewer fund balance and from the sale of water to other localities. These revenues must be replaced by current charges and fees to fully recover the costs of providing the service. Also, these one-time revenues do not replace the necessity for current charges and fees to support system expenses, including debt service, as required by the revenue bonds issued by the City for water and sewer capital needs.

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1. What are tiered water rates?
2. Why are only Single Family Residential (SFR) customers subject to the tiered rate system?
3. If I use water in the higher Tiers, will all my water be charged at that amount?
4. Will sewer charges be assessed at the tiered rates?
5. How are commercial customers billed?
6. Do business customers pay more for water and sewer services than residential users?
7. Why are water and sewer rate increases necessary?
8. What do water and sewer service charges pay for?
9. What do water and sewer consumption/usage charges pay for?
10. What is an irrigation rate?
11. Does the City have resources for customers that may not be able to pay their water and sewer bill?
12. Does Durham use tax money to provide water and sewer services?
13. Why does the use of “one-time” revenues have an impact on the water and sewer rates?
14. What are revenue bonds and why are they issued?
15. What are revenue bond rate covenants and what is their connection to water and sewer rates?
16. What are fixed sewer consumption charges – also known as sewer only charges?