February 2009

U.S. Water News Online

SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council has complied with a court order and approved a refund to water rate payers. But they'll have to pay for it.

Two court decisions say customers were wrongly charged for fire hydrants. The money should have come from the city's general fund.

The Seattle Times reports rate payers will get refunds of $25 or less to cover the $14 million cost the city council decided when it raised water rates about 10 percent for 20 months.

Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin said the transaction is even for the average person, but the lawyers get $4 million.

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