To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Sandi Aguilar, Customer Relations Manager
Title
Update: Recreational Vehicles (RV) Dump Station Survey Results
Body
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Executive Summary
In August 2018, Castle Rock Water staff conducted a survey to gauge its customers on their usage of a recreational vehicles (RV) dump station. There were 424 respondents to the survey which ran until October 1, 2018 (see Attachment A).
The goal of the survey was to determine if there was adequate interest from recreational vehicle users in paying fees that would support an RV dump station in Castle Rock. The results indicate pretty strong interest in a dump station (67%), but only about 69% of those interested would be willing to pay the amount needed to fund the dump site. This is just under 200 respondents. In rough terms in order to get simple payback on a dump site (without interest), Castle Rock Water would need approximately 800 to 900 customers willing to pay $60/year for annual access to the facility.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
Below is a list of various outreach efforts used to promote the survey:
• August Facebook post
• September Your Town Talk
• Town’s website- CRgov.com
The survey included the following information and solicited responses from the subsequent questions:
Tell us what you think
Castle Rock Water is considering building an RV dump station to allow residents with RVs to release wastewater into the sewer system. The Town had a facility, but it was closed in 2016 because of needed infrastructure upgrades. A new facility could be built and open only to Castle Rock residents with a prepaid membership card.
1. Would you use an RV dump station in Castle Rock?
2. Would you pay $60/year for unlimited access to the dump station?
3. Where do you currently dump?
4. Typically, what do you pay to dump (per visit)?
5. How many times per year do you use a dump station?
Comments
Please see Attachment A for survey results and comments.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
The survey results/comments were presented to the Castle Rock Water Commission on November 28, 2018. The commission unanimously recommended Council not support any additional discussions on a dump station.
Discussion
Attachment B shows a map with an existing location in the South Metro area. The cost for this location is less than $20. A search of public dump stations shows that most locations in Colorado are run by private companies, and not municipal water or wastewater providers. This is probably the best option for Castle Rock.
Budget Impact
The last cost estimate prepared for a modern, secure RV dump site was $235,000. Annual operating costs are estimated at $5,000, assuming Castle Rock Water minimizes the need for administration by setting an annual fee with card access for paying Castle Rock residents.
In order to get a simple five-year payback not including our average cost of money, we would need to raise $40,000-50,000 per year. The results of the survey do not indicate this is likely, but a more comprehensive and scientific survey could be done.
Staff Recommendation
Given other priorities, staff does not recommend proceeding with additional work on this item at this time although the questions could be included in the 2019 Community Survey to gather more information. Staff confirmed this is a possibility but the chances of getting statistically defensible data are low. A separate stand-alone scientific survey could cost as much as $7,000-10,000.
Attachments
Attachment A: Survey results
Attachment B: Location map