Washington County raises water rates by 10 cents per 1,000 gallons

The Washington County Water Conservancy District has voted in favor of elevating water charges. The ten-cent per-thousand gallon enhance applies to secondary water customers and municipalities.

Costs are going up just about in all places, and that features the price of the chemical substances used to deal with water, in accordance with Zach Renstrom, basic supervisor for the water district. There are additionally some massive initiatives the district is engaged on.

The speed enhance is a small change, however he stated that’s on function.

“I do know I get criticized for this — I attempt to make water as low-cost as potential for people as a result of we now have lots of people on mounted incomes, we now have a variety of senior residents,” he stated. “In the event that they’re utilizing water properly, I need them to have the bottom water invoice potential.”

Some environmentalists in Utah advocate for elevating water charges within the hopes of reducing water use. Ed Andrechak, vice chairman of Preserve Southwest Utah, predicted the rise will solely assist cowl further prices for a 12 months or perhaps two.

Because the area faces severe strains to its water provide from the drought and rising inhabitants, Andrechak want to see the district go even additional in elevating charges.

“If it offers them extra money to implement costly capital initiatives, that can enhance the water provide — we do not wish to run out of water — that is an awesome concept,” he stated. “I am for that.”

Renstrom stated he’s all for charging individuals who use an excessive amount of water. Final 12 months the district applied a $1 surcharge per-thousand gallons for individuals utilizing over 36,000 gallons month-to-month. A typical family within the county, he stated, makes use of 8,000 gallons of water per thirty days through the winter, in the summertime it jumps to 22,000 gallons. That’s as a result of about half of the county’s water is used open air.