I recently heard about the new water meters that will be installed in the City of Rochester. Since 78% of the residents have been having their water under-reported many will see their bills jump significantly. I applaud the efforts to update our systems but this also bring up an injustice. Our current billing system charges the same basic amount to every home. No matter what the size or usage. As the home uses more water, it gets charged less per gallon. This came to my attention when I implemented some water saving devices and used less water- my bill stayed the same.
While we are updating our meters, lets update our billing. So that we are charged a lower amount per gallon for basic needs, and a progressively higher amount for the more water we use. So those of us who want to conserve our more vital resource are not subsidizing those who chose to water their grass daily.
Todd Frerichs
9:07 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Please explain. The way I understand it, we pay for water in 750 gallon increments. We all don't pay the same. Don't you pay for how much you use? From where does the 78% number come? Are you talking about being charged the same rate or the same amount? The rate is fair. The more one uses, the more one pays. You don't get a discount on fuel if you drive a Volt compared to a Suburban. Your discount comes with using less fuel. Did I miss something here?
Do you know that your water is measured in 750 gallon increments? It is possible to use 700 gallons less in a billing period and get charged the same amount. It will even out in the next billing period, though.
Patricia Kane
8:26 am on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Diane, could you share with us the types of water saving devices you installed? it could help a lot of people. I would be interested to know if we could cut our consumption some. Conserving water is important. I am also concerned that we do not have a separate meter for watering outdoors and that much of our badly needed rain water goes down a gutter and we pay for that in Detroit due to little green space left on lots anywhere. Thank you Pat