WEAKNESSES OF TIERED WATER RATES

MISTARGETED WATER CONSERVATION

Public supply (residential/commerical) only accounts for 12% of water use in the U.S. The goverment needs to target the Thermoelectric Power and Agricultural Industries more than individual households. Combined these two groups use more than three quarters of the water use in the U.S.

QUESTIONABLE CONSERVATION VALUE

Resource conservation rests on the notion that only large water users can waste water. In reality, low water users from small households are incentivized to waste water through the first tier since they are being subsidized by the large users.

PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON TIERED WATER RATES

“It is not fair for residential water users. It should be a flat rate. The total rates themselves should increase if there is a desire to reduce usage..”

“I think they are unfair to larger families and people who garden.”

“I don’t think it’s a fair way to charge. They should take into consideration how many people live in the house and figure out an amount per person.”

“A gallon of water should cost the same to high and low water users but I can see how it would curtail high water users as an economic penalty for high use.”