The Tucson City Council’s recently announced water rate hike of around 5% this year and an additional 8.3% for the next several years, has sparked outrage.
Overall monthly rates will increase by a whopping $4.13 for the average residential customer. The new rate schedule becomes effective July 6.
“The Tucson City Council mismanages our roads, pensions and public safety. So it come as no surprise that they want to do the same with our water company as well,” said Pima GOP Chairman Bill Beard.
“It has become clear that the only way to get responsible change in our city is to replace irresponsible City Council Members Regina Romero, Paul Cunningham and Shirley Scott,” continued Beard.
“I grew up in Tucson. As we all know, our beloved city is in a desert. Water is our most precious resource. With proper management, new technology and a reduction in the 10% water loss due to system leaks a rate increase may not be necessary,” said City Council Candidate Kelly Lawton.
Related article: How is the Tucson Water Conservation Fund Money Spent?
In April, Jonathan Duhamel reported that Tucson Water customers have “an item on the back page of your water bill listed as: “CONSRV FEE $.07/CCF.” This means you are contributing seven cents per cubic foot of water used to a conservation fund. That may not sound like much, but according to an article by Tim Steller, that added up to $2.95 million last year. By the way, this “contribution” to the conservation fund will rise to eight cents per CCF on July 15.”