Q. Can someone explain to me how the "new" wastewater bill is determined and why my combined water usage bill is now higher than ever? Thank you!
A. I serve as a citizen member of the Board of the Sanitation Authority (newly renamed Alexandria ReNew Enterprises) and I live in the neighborhood. We all should have received a couple of mailers this summer with information about the new bills and why the water and sewer charges would be billed separately beginning this month. You are correct that the rates have been rising over the years as Alexandria and other jurisdictions have struggled to meet the increasingly stringent regulations put in place to restore the Chesapeake Bay and other waterways to health. Today the Potomac and Chesapeake are cleaner than they've been in years, due in large part to the improvements in wastewater treatement around the region. We have a long way to go, and the trend of environmental legistation and regulation is moving towards more stringent standards over time.
To your question, The Alexandria Renew Enterprises (formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority) website has some good information on billing:
FAQs/Alexandria Renew Enterprise Billing System
How is my wastewater treatment bill changing?
Beginning in October 2012, Alexandria Renew Enterprises ratepayers will receive a separate bill for wastewater treatment services that will include the City’s sewer collection charges as well. Currently, your wastewater treatment cost is included in your Virginia American Water bill.
Why is the billing system changing?
The new billing system is changing because Virginia American Water informed Alexandria Renew Enterprises late in 2011 that it will no longer provide third-party billing
services. We are hard at work establishing a new billing system that will allow us to provide great customer service to ratepayers while collecting the revenue
needed to provide the services we provide.
What does that mean for me?
You will receive a new bill from Alexandria Renew Enterprises, starting in October 2012. You will no longer see a cost for wastewater or sewage treatment in your Virginia American Water bill. To see a sample of the new bill, click here.
What is Alexandria Renew Enterprises?
Alexandria Renew Enterprises used to be called the Alexandria Sanitation Authority, which was established more than 50 years ago. Things have changed a lot since then. Alexandria
Renew still cleans wastewater, but also is using sustainable ways to save energy, preserve natural resources, and meet tougher water and wastewater laws.
The new name reflects those changes.
When will I first see the new bill?
You’ll receive a new bill in October 2012. In early September, we sent out an informative letter that showed you how your new bill will look.
How often will I get a bill from Alexandria Renew Enterprises?
You will receive future bills at the same frequency as you have received them from Virginia
American Water. If you have a residential account, you will receive a bill each
quarter. If you have a business account, you will receive a bill each month.
Will this have an effect on my rate?
The change in the billing system will not affect your rate. To learn more about your rates, go to http://alexrenew.com/about/new
Do I have to do anything regarding the billing change now?
No actions are needed on your part now.
Will I be able to pay my bill online?
Yes, you will be able to pay your bill online. There will be several ways to pay. Our automatic payment option will allow for your bill will be paid on time, every time, from your checking or savings account. If you’d like to pre-register for automatic payment, go tohttp://alexrenew.com/payments/ and click on the “Enroll in Automatic Payment” button.
When I enrolled to sign up for Automatic Payment, I noticed Cincinnati, Ohio in the web address. Why is that?
In 2012, Alexandria Renew Enterprises contracted with Greater Cincinnati Water Works to provide its billing management service after Virginia American Water announced it will no longer provide third-party billing services. GCWW has decades’ experience and expertise in billing management in the water and wastewater industry. This business solution provides a cost-effective and necessary approach for Alex Renew to collect its revenue.
How can I stay informed about this change?
We will keep you up to date through www.alexrenew.com, Facebook at Alexandria Renew Enterprises, and Twitter at AlexRenewCEO. We will also be sending you information in the
mail and through local advertisement. You can also contact us at 703-549-3381, extension 2204.
Does this mean we’re getting a new sewage service provider?
No. The change is that Virginia American Water will no longer bill you for sewer services. You will receive a separate bill for sewer services from Alexandria Renew Enterprises, formerly the Alexandria Sanitation
Authority.
Will this affect my trash pickup?
No. Alexandria Renew Enterprises (formerly Alexandria Sanitation Authority) does not and never has provided trash pickup. To learn more about trash pickup,
go to http://alexandriava.gov/
What is the City sewage collection fee on my bill?
The City of Alexandria collects fees from ratepayers to help pay for the pipes and sewers the city owns and maintains. This is not a new fee or charge. The fee costs $1.25 per thousand gallons of water used per home or business. It is not prorated through the winter quarter charge.
tom van wagner
This isn't an answer but an excuse. The combined bill averaged $60/80 quarterly, now I paid $60 water, $100 for sewer, WHY has it increased?? It was a matter of separation of companies - okay no problem there, but it doesn't explain the increase.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous posting on 10/23/12. I'm fine with rates increasing to keep up with environmental regulations, but there is no reason for a sharp increase at the time the billing was separated from American Water and RENEW. Further, when I tried to pay my RENEW bill online and had issues with submiting payment, their "email us" link didn't even work!
ReplyDeleteWe just got our first bill and it was $150 for water, $120 for sewer. Previously, our bills were just $150 -- so it seems like the sewer bill is just now an extra, same cost bill on top of that.
ReplyDelete