Please help break the Salt Lake City water monopoly by calling the Governor’s Hot-line 801-538-1045 and leave this message: “Please break the Salt Lake City water monopoly.”

Salt Lake City water utility has approx. 1 employee per 346 water connections with a water district tax 733% higher than Orem’s versus Orem City water utility which has approx. 1 employee per 833 water connections.

This means that the salary, health insurance, retirement, and any other costs for one (1) employee are carried by just 357 water connections. If it costs $50,000 total compensation per employee, then divided that by 357 yields $140 per connection per year in Salt Lake City versus Orem’s employee operation cost of $60 per connection.

A-2007 Orem has approx. 1 water employee per 833 water connections.

A-2007 Salt Lake City has approx. 1 water employees per 346 water connections.

B-2007 Orem water rate is 55 cents per 1,000 gallons without tiered billing.

B-2007 Salt Lake City water rate $1.14 to $3.28 per 1,000 gallons with tiered billing.

C-1988 Orem water rate is 26 cents per 1,000 gallons without tiered billing.

C-1988 Salt Lake City water rate 51 cents to 75 cents per 1,000 gallons with tiered billing.

D-rate from Metro-Water District of Orem is .000042 (1/8th of Salt Lake City’s).

D-2007 Property tax rate from Metro-Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy is .00035 (733% higher than Orem’s property tax).“Its [SLC outside corporate general water sales business] just like a monopoly, ” [CPA, Salt Lake City Public Utility Finance Administrator James M.] Lewis said. Lewis said the benefit would be for public relations with county customers who have no representation on the City Council or with the Public Utilities Advisory Panel, which recommend the rate restructuring. And without representation, those county customers might feel they are getting a raw deal if higher rates are approved. “Water fee may soar in county,” Deseret News March 21, 2003.

“Before the vote, there was much public comment on both sides. Many Salt Lake County residents were miffed that they pay more for water than city customers. Given the uproar, the council decided to reduce county customers rates from 1.5 times what the city resident pays to 1.35 times what city residents pay. The extra amount is to compensate for property tax payments that city residents pay to the Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake.” “S.L. boosts water rates for wasters” Deseret News April 23, 2003.

No profit water rates should be a citizens right. Transparent operation of city water departments is sound, reasonable and good government. Records should be easily to understand, and open access to all records.How much profit does Salt Lake City makes on its un-needed State “surplus” water sales business which took in about 20 million dollars in FY 2006/2007 from non-Salt Lake City residents living in the Salt Lake County, and $427,000 from non-Salt Lake City residents living in Wasatch County?

Over the next 35 years, Salt Lake City’s un-needed State “surplus” water sales business selling water outside city limits will sell 830,303.25 acre-feet of water or 270 Billion gallons of water for 557 Million Dollars.

In order to sell water outside city limits, the city must classify the water as un-needed, temporary “surplus.” There is no such thing as permanent “surplus” city water. If water is permanently “surplus,” then under the doctrine of beneficial use (73-1-3) that water automatically reverted to the State. It would appear that it is illegal for water classified as “surplus” or “surplus sales contracts” to be used to meet permanent and perpetual state water requirements of building permits or city connections.

Salt Lake County water rate payers are disenfranchised by having no elected voice in Salt Lake City government, and no voice in the Public Service Commission regarding their water rates which are 35% higher than in Salt Lake City rates and 143% to 420% higher than Orem City water rates .

Why are Salt Lake County water rates 143% to 420% higher than Orem City water rates? The water quality is comparable. The water sources are comparable.

• (In 2006, Orem City used 26,548.94 Acre-feet 55% Treated, 27% Well water, and 18% spring water).
• Connections per foot of pipe are comparable.
• Based upon economy of scales, Salt Lake City water rates should be lower. Q: What causes the dramatic uptick in Salt Lake City water operating costs which result in 35% higher water rates in Salt Lake County than Salt Lake City which rates are 80% to 283% higher than Orem City water rates?
• Could it be that operating costs are increased by the chronic protesting, chronic litigating, chronic blocking, obstructing, implementing extreme green environmental policies, using the water department to control building  on 125,000 acres of canyons outside city limits, and to control water in other cities?
• In 2006, Orem’s Water Section maintained “333 miles of main line from 4 to 48 in diameter and 121 miles of service lines, totaling 454 miles of pipe.” “There are 19,068 residential service connections, 2,160 commercial service connections, totaling 21,228 service connections.” Page 15-16 2006 Annual Report
• If Salt Lake County residents could receive similar efficient and well managed water services like Orem’s, then residents may see a up to 50% reduction in their water bills with comparable water quality and service.