Jun 23, 2009 6:46 pm US/Central
Cities Change Water Rates To Promote Conservation
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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By the end of this year, all metro water utilities have to start charging for water in a way that encourages conservation. It's part of a law passed in 2008. (File)
CBS
When you brush your teeth, do you keep the water running? What about when you shave or do the dishes? That's the kind of question homeowners may start asking themselves when their water bills arrive.
By the end of this year, all metro water utilities have to start charging for water in a way that encourages conservation. It's part of a law passed in 2008.
Compared to a gallon of gas or a gallon of milk, water is cheap. In St. Louis Park, it costs less than a fraction of a penny per gallon. That may be why some people use it so freely.
Andrea Nelson was playing in water with her son Eugene at St. Louis Park's Splash Pad.
"I think that people tend to use water too much. We often see people watering during off watering hours," she said.
That's what WCCO cameras saw even though nobody in St. Louis Park is supposed to do any watering between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Josh Wood was one of the people watering his lawn.
"(It's) surprising that you have to pay for water," he said.
He received the postcard about St. Louis Park's new conservation water rates, but he's still watering every other day.
"Didn't really pay that much attention to it, just kind of received the memo and went on a stack of paperwork," he said.
St. Louis Park now has a three-tiered rate system.
If a homeowner used a lot of water, let's say, 90,000 gallons per quarter, the homeowner would pay around $48 for the first 30,000 gallons. The next 30,000 gallons would cost around $60.
Then there is the sticker shock. The last 30,000 gallons would go for around $91.
"We wanted them to think a little more about their water usage," said City Manager Tom Harmening. "Most families, a family of four, use less than 30,000 gallons per quarter."
The new rates won't affect those light water users.
"I don't like it. I would rather it stay one rate, one reasonable rate," said Robert O'Brien.
He lives in Edina, but gets his water from St. Louis Park. He doesn't want to water his garden or lawn any less.
"We have no problem with people watering their lawns," said Harmening. "What we suggest is that they follow our ordinance and probably realize they don't need to water their lawn quite as much as they think they have to."
Utilities outside the metro don't have to worry about water conservation rates for a while. State law gives them until 2013 to make the switch.
Paula Engelking, Producer
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