In Era of Drought, Texas Cities Boost Water Rates
MIDLAND — David Rosen, a self-employed geologist, said he was relieved when he looked at his water bill for April. The drought-stricken city of Midland had just slapped a steep rate increase on heavy water users, and Rosen had avoided a big charge by curtailing his sprinkler use.
“I was watering like crazy in March to beat the price increase,” he said as he sat in his living room on a rare rainy day. Outside, his lawn showed the effects of the cutback, with big yellow patches alongside the green.
Higher prices have a way of grabbing attention, and many communities ...
Comments (7)
Karen Spivey-Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Too much govt. isn't the problem. Honesty and transparency in govt. is the problem and crony capitalism.
Charlie Duncan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
When demand is greater than supply, price rises. It's simple economics. Perhaps higher water prices will finally get through to some people to curb their water usage...
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
When water rates in a 'wet' state like Michigan are higher than in an arid state like Texas, it's just more proof of the incompetence of Texas politicians.
Audrey Fisher via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I remember reading a blog post from last year. Some irrate person said he was rich and didn't give a damn about water restrictions - he wanted a green lawn ( which was measured in acres). I can't predict the future, but SAWS rates should be increased - only when it hits someone's pocket book will the message be heard by most!
hans5162@ix.netcom.com hans
Apparently, the moronic majority party in our state considers water infrastructure projects "fat." Apparently all those towns in West Texas that keep electing these idiots had better get used to having their drinking water trucked in. Perhaps when they're lined up by the water truck like the third world citizens they aspire to make us, they'll realize that government costs money. Maybe they'll realize that the private sector doesn't automatically fulfill every need, and when it does, they may find that the cost is far higher than if they would have just ponied up the tax dollars to build the infrastructure that would have avoided the crisis. Prayer is fine, but it's not a substitute for prudent public policies and investments in public infrastructure. Next time your ranch catches on fire and you lose everything, deal with it.
Papa Ray
West Texans are going to have to switch to plants and such that doesn't take as much water. They don't want to but will have to sooner than later. Also they are going to have to install grey water systems to make use of all of the wasted water in their household.
Change sometimes is hard to take but those that do will be better off in the long run.
Papa Ray
Papa Ray
Luisa, I think you have a few things mixed up. I think you should be addressing Michigan politicians. Not Texas.
Besides all the politicians I know or heard of don't have a lot of expertise in how much water is available. Unless of course they vote for desalinization plants and pipelines that you don't want.
America has water, just not all in the right places.
Papa Ray