Council to Hold Hearing on Increased Water Charges
The proposal would increase most rates and fees by about 4-5%, except that single family rates for usage under 15,000 gallons a month increase by about 6% and single family rates for usage over 15,000 gallons a month increase by about 10%. On the other end, both tiers of single family wastewater rates increase by about 5% and rates for other users increase 2.5%-3.5%.
None of this creates much economic incentive to conserve water. If rates for usage under 15,000 gallons a month stayed flat and rates for usage over 15,000 gallons a month were increased by 25%, we might see major water users start to cut back.
Who gets the cheapest water? You might think it was the semiconductor companies with their special deals, but you'd be wrong. As usual. Instead, wholesale customers like Lost Creek and Manor pay less per gallon than anyone in Austin; generally less than half the amount being charged to most Austinites.
