U.S. Water News Online
PRESCOTT, Ariz. -- Prescott Valley town officials hope to make every drop of water count by making liberal water users pay more than conservationists.
To do that, town officials will continue to use an inverted water rate structure, where water rates become gradually higher with higher use, said Neil Wadsworth, the town's utilities services manager.
"All water conservation begins with the consumer," Wadsworth said. "(There are) things that you can do."
The town drafted the inverted rate structure several years ago after a citizens' committee studied ways to reduce water use, Wadsworth said.
"It does promote conservation," he said. "When you are having to pay more dollars for using extra water, that does tend to hit people in the pocketbook and make them consider whether or not they need that water."
Additionally, the town recently raised water rates across the board to pay for more efficient operating costs.
The new rates take effect on New Year's Day.
Users of 8,000 gallons or less per month who pay $2.03 per thousand gallons will soon pay $2.22 per thousand gallons.
People who use 8,000 gallons to 20,000 gallons a month and pay $2.33 per thousand gallons will see their rate jump to $2.66 per thousand gallons. Those using more than 20,000 gallons a month who pay $2.82 per thousand gallons will see their rate rise to $3.46 per thousand gallons.
Wadsworth noted that the Town Council has also taken steps to ensure that valuable potable water is not being used to keep local golf courses green. Instead, the town requires golf courses to use effluent water.
The town is also studying ways to water parks with reclaimed water, a more expensive conservation option.
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