U.S. Water News Online
NOME, Alaska -- A change in policy by the Nome utility to
metered supply to
utilities has been blamed for the temporary shutdown of one of a few
public
laundries in town. Although the Blizzard Laundry has reopened after
paying an
accumulated water bill of $2,400, owner Mai Baker is unsure whether
she can
remain in business.
"Normally, my water rates were $200 per month but sometimes
higher," said
Baker. "Now, with $800 per month, I can't go on making a living.
People
depend on me who do their own laundry."
Nome began metering water use by businesses several months ago.
Before the
meters went in, businesses paid a flat rate for water service each
month. Bob
Madden, a Nome businessman who has agreed to help Baker pay her water
bill,
noted that the water rates in Nome "are in line with
similar-sized
communities in Alaska, although they may seem exorbitant." The bills
seem
big, noted Madden, because previously the cost of water was
subsidized by
revenues from the city's electric utility.
Return to the U.S. Water News' past archives page
Or
Return to the U.S. Water News Homepage
uswatrnews@aol.com