Rate Hike on Tap for Parkville Water

Projects Need Funding for Upgrades, Growth

In water news, Parkville Water District customers can anticipate a rate increase starting February 1, 2020, as the Board of Directors in effect approved the rate hike during the 2020 budget process which was finalized at their November 2019 meeting.

According to Parkville Water District General Manager Greg Teter, base rate customers will begin paying $51 per billing cycle, a 16 % jump in cost. As for tap fees, hang on to your rain hats because a 52% increase begins next month.

“It’s still below the state average for a single-family home tap fee,” explained Teter in an interview with Leadville Today (LT). “Parkville has not seen a tap fee increase since 2007.”

The new tap fee rate is $11,000; the state average is $12,400. Beat the Jan. 31 rate hike deadline and save thousands!

With its office situated along Highway 24 in Leadville Today, The Parkville Water District sign takes a beating during the winter months. Perhaps a new one is in the 2020 budget? Photo: Leadville Today

For those customers, residents or builders who want to express their opinions about the increase, Teter stated that you may do so tonight at their regularly scheduled meeting. The Parkville Water District Board of Directors meets the second Thursday of every month at 5:15 p.m. at the Parkville business office at 2015 N. Poplar Street (next to Pizza Hut) in Leadville. The public is encouraged to attend.

Money for Water: Leadville Today and Tomorrow

While most customers don’t like to see an increase, Parkville Water District General Manager Greg Teter has several big projects on the horizon that are necessary for system upgrades as well as meeting Lake County’s future growth needs. At present, the Big Evans Water Treatment Plant which sits below the Big Evans Reservoir on County Road 3 (E. 7th Street) is undergoing major improvements, including a generator system upgrade to address ongoing Xcel power outages in the area. Down the road, the plant will also require an additional filtration system to meet projected growth demands.

Fortunately, when it comes to transparency and accountability for one of the state’s oldest water districts, Parkville still stands on solid ground. The measured growth and vision continue to be a solid example in leadership and management. To that end, LT will continue to monitor and report about future projects, bringing readers updates along the way. As for today, LT is re-publishing its three-part “Water, Water Everywhere,” series, taking readers on a journey to discover where Leadville’s water comes from and what it takes to bring it to your faucet.

Like most Leadville history, it’s fascinating. Enjoy!

Part One: First in Use, First in Right

Part Two: The Canterbury Tunnel

Part Three: Big Evans Reservoir