WATER RATES

WATER RATES

Counsel for the Charleston (W. Va.) Water Company has asked the Public Service Commission for permission to increase the rates charged domestic consumers at the Jefferson County seat. Arguments were presented to show that the present rates are too low to allow the company a reasonable profit.

An ordinance increasing the water rates has been introduced to the City Council of Aurora, Ill., by the Board of Public Works. The rate is not increased for those persons who use 700 cubic feet of water or less in a year, as this price, $2.50, must be paid whether 700 feet or one foot of water is used. The cost of pumping water, drilling of new wells, the upkeep of the machinery at the pumping station and the general expense of the water works department necessitates an increase in the consumers’ rates. President Kilbourne told the Council. “The fact that in Aurora we must go down 2,200 feet to get water and that we must pay for the upkeep and operation of four stations instead of one is a barrier to cheap water,” he said. “There has not been ample funds with which to make necessary improvements without securing the necessary funds with bond issue. Suitable water rates which will give the department ample funds to carry on the necessary improvements is our salvation. There has been a lot of water used which has never been paid for. It costs three cents to get 100 cubic feet of water out of the ground and the upkeep and necessary expenses of the water department cost seven cents more, making the cost of the water to the city 10 cents. Manufacturers who use water up to 150,000 cubic feet have paid seven cents er cubic foot or, with the 10 per cent, off, only 6.30. So you can see that the city has been furnishing water to consumers at a loss. The only way to do is to put the rates up where they belong and let the department grow. Under the new ordinance there are 2,500 consumers who will not be affected at all by the increase. The next 2,500, those who now pay $6.30 a year, will pay 60 cents more a year, or $6.90. The consumer who uses up to 10,000 feet and who now pays $14.53 a year will pay $18.50 a year. The added revenue from the rates wiil total about $10,000.” Under the new measure all delinquent charges on February 1, each year, will become a continuing lien against the property.