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What are Tiered Water Rates?
Tiered water rates is when a water company charges a customer more when they use a lot of water. In Arizona, 76% of water companies use tiered water rate structure. Only 13% of the nation uses tired water rates.
The water companies use tiered water rates pricing to help customers conserve water. If a customer uses a lot of water to water their garden or fruit trees, the water company penalizes them for using too much water. The water companies do not want to have customers use water.
The Hot and Dry Summer of 1974
In 1974, Tucson experienced an extraordinary long and hot summer. The temperatures exceeed 100 degrees from the period of June 10 through July 2 of that year.
During that time, customers used a lot of water to cool off from the hot temperatures. People cranked up the swamp coolers. They filled swimming pools to cool off. They watered grass and plants to keep them alive in the scorching hot temperatures. .
Unfortunately, Tucson Water couldn’t meet the customers’ demand due to irrigation and evaporative cooling. Some of the areas ran out of water.
The long and hot summer of 1974 started the Tucson Water conservation effort that is still used today.