EDITORIAL
Worried about the new water rates in Rockdale? You’re not alone. The first of several hikes will show up partially in the March bill, then full force in April.
The march toward the gargantuan task of replacing most of the city’s crumbling water and wastewater systems has been well documented in Reporter stories for well over a year.
A “watershed” of sorts was reached earlier this month when the city council gave final approval to the initial $10-million expenditure which is resulting in the first rate increase.
Is there anything water customers can do to lessen the blow. The answer is, for most of us, apart from conserving water on every front, not much.
How do you conserve water? The first answer is so obvious many of us don’t give it a second thought.
Check your residence’s plumbing. And, yes, this always means have someone who knows what they’re doing check that plumbing.
It’s staggering how much water a tiny connection leak, or malfunctioning toilet, can waste. As water becomes more precious, and expensive, the last thing any of us want is to waste it.
It’s also helpful to install such devices as low-volume shower heads and low-flush toilets.
However, there is one class of Rockdale residents who can get a great deal from the city to keep their bills from going even higher as the new rates kick in.
The new water rates are based on a complicated formula. But one part isn’t complicated at all. The rates are based on a 3/4-inch meter connection as the “standard.” Customers whose connections are larger than 3/4-inch will be charged higher rates, period.
Now, 78-percent of Rockdale’s 2,040 water meter connections are 3/4-inch. But 440 are not. They are 1-inch or larger. Several are 2-inch.
For eligible customers—more about that word in a minute—the city has a deal you should accept. They will switch out the larger meters to a 3/4 inch and only charge you the 3/4-inch rate until they get them switched out.
That would result in substantial savings compared to keeping your larger diameter meter.
What about the qualifier “eligible.” There are two big exceptions.
One is a large business which obviously needs a larger meter to adequately deliver water. The city will check that out before following through.
The other is a meter only for lawn watering. There are a number of those in Rockdale and they tend to be one-inch or larger. Those meters simply won’t be honored as part of the change-out program.
In fact some applications to change out lawn-watering meters have already been rejected, according to the city.
That qualification is in the ordinance and it would have to be changed by a council vote.
How do you apply: Go to the city web page at www.rockdalecityhall.com. That brings you to the home page.
The second hotspot under “News and Announcements” is “meter change request.” Click on “additional info” and follow instructions.
Deadline to apply is May 4.—M.B.
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