Action Please By:
December 14, 2007

NACWA has published the NACWA Index annually since 1992 to track average annual single-family residential service charge increases as measured against the rate of inflation.  With the wide variety of rate structures implemented at the local level (e.g., one or a combination of flat rates, fixed or tiered volume rates, and a variety of tax-related rates), the average annual single-family residential sewer service charge (inclusive of collection and treatment) provides a unique and consistent benchmark to measure the cost of sewer services for the average family.  The Index survey results, which will be distributed to the membership in March 2008, will include a useful chart that compares national service charge changes on an annual basis since the mid 1980s and information on service charges according to geographic region.   Because of this useful information, the annual Index survey is relied upon by wastewater agencies and a wide variety of policymakers and experts. 

The one-page Index survey requests the average annual single-family residential sewer service charge and service population of each NACWA utility respondent (see attached survey questionnaire).  From these values, a population-weighted nationwide average annual single-family residential service charge is determined.  Also, NACWA is, for the first time, requesting that respondents provide information on future rate changes anticipated to occur over the next one to five years.  NACWA’s Utility Management Committee expects the data resulting from this new question will provide useful, forward-looking trend information on sewer rates.  It is critical to note that the more responses NACWA receives the more representative the Index is of the wastewater treatment community as a whole. 

Complete the 2007 NACWA Index Survey by December 14 — Also Available Online!

Attached is your agency’s individualized one-page survey questionnaire requesting information for 2007.  Your agency’s past survey responses (if applicable) are provided on the survey form along with the names of the person(s) who provided the information.  If historical information is missing or inaccurate, please feel free to add or modify this data directly on the survey form.  Changes will be reflected in this year’s NACWA Index.  Please complete the survey questionnaire and return it via fax to Mark Hoeke, NACWA’s contractor, at 202/318-1472 no later than December 14, 2007.  In order to ensure consistency, the 2007 NACWA Index survey questionnaire should ideally be completed by the same individual who submitted information for your agency in the past (refer to attached survey form for the names of your agency’s respondents).  As always, individual agency responses are kept confidential.

As an alternative to the hard copy form, NACWA also offers the ability to complete the survey online through CleanWater Central.  Follow these steps to submit your survey response online:

1. Go to the CleanWater Central homepage at http://www.cleanwatercentral.org
2. Click on "Enter private subscribers area"
3. Enter your NACWA Member Pipeline ID (website ID) and password (listed on attached hardcopy form) and then click on "login"
4. At your agency profile page, click on "Surveys" on the top menu
5. At the surveys menu page, click on 2007 NACWA Index in the active NACWA/WERF surveys box
6. Complete the brief 2007 NACWA Index survey questionnaire, and click on "Submit".  You should receive a pop-up box indicating that your responses have been submitted.  Alternatively, you may save your responses for later submittal by clicking on "Save".

Interested in past NACWA Index survey results?  Check out the "Reports" section of CleanWater Central online.  Click on the "Survey Data" reports category, and then click on the "Average Annual Household User Charge (NACWA Index)" report to view summary statistics or the distribution of service charges from past years.  Historical data and a PDF version of your individualized survey form can be obtained by contacting Chris Hornback at NACWA’s National Office, 202/833-9106 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

National Average Increases at Double the Rate of Inflation

The 2006 NACWA Index shows that the average cost of wastewater services for a single-family residence increased by approximately 6.4 percent in 2006, double the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index, which rose 3.2 percent.  The average single family residence’s cost for sewer services topped $292 annually in 2006, a sum that outpaced inflation for the fifth year in a row.  All indications are that this upward trend will continue in the coming years.  The 2006 Index with new region-specific information is available on NACWA’s Utility Management and Financial Information web page (www.nacwa.org).

Your Participation Is Encouraged!

Please take a moment to complete the attached Index survey questionnaire either online (http://www.cleanwatercentral.org) or via hard copy.  Again, please fax completed hard copies to Mark Hoeke at 202/318-1472 no later than Friday, December 14, 2007.  If you have any questions about the attached survey form or any of the historical data please contact NACWA’s contractor, Mark Hoeke at 202/361-7446 or mhoeke@dfinet.ch This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Chris Hornback at NACWA’s National Office, 202/833-9106 or chornback@nacwa.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important request.

* This Member Update Has Been Provided to Affiliates for Information Purposes Only.