WATER RATES
At Spokane, Wash., notwithstanding the reductions in water bills due to the increased use of meters, the reduction in the minimum charge on 4-room houses to GO cents and the donation of free water for use on lawns, water rents to October 1 are within 4 per cent, of the total of last year. The collections for the first nine months of 1911 amounted to $337,312.30, while the receipts for the same period this year amounted to $323,590.07, a decrease of $13,722.23. Commissioner C. M. Fassett thinks the showing as to water revenues for 1912 is better than was expected, considering changes in rates and the number of meters in use. At the same ratio he estimates that water revenues should run to $120,000 or $425,000, which would place the finances of the water department in splendid shape at the end of the year.
Portland, Ore., may adopt the plan of charging the owners of vacant lots for the benefit of the water department. One member of the city’s water board thinks the proposed method “just and equitable,” and will favor it. He adds: "I have thought all along that persons owning property that is benefited by the water system should pay for it.” He expressed himself as “deeply interested in getting some plan through that will be more equitable than the present one.” In Oregon at present the water sales are based on flat rates, for the most part. There are meters in the large establishments in the downtown districts and a few in private residences.
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