By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
Taking a second look at OWASA’s proposed rate hikes Tuesday night, members of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen said they’d like to see even higher rates for people using the most to keep rates lower for those trying to conserve.
With a growing system and major projects looming, the utility’s board of directors is studying a plan to increase water rates by an average 6.25 percent and sewer rates by 13.75 percent, along with a large increase in its one-time hookup fees for new users.
Part of the changes are to OWASA’s block rate structure under which customers using higher amounts pay more for that water. Under the new rates, for instance, the utility would charge $2.46 for every 1,000 gallons used for the first 2,000 gallons and $4.09 per 1,000 gallons for 3-5,000 gallons. The rates increase up to $13.05 per 1,000 gallons for the top tier of 16,000 gallons per month or more.
Board of Aldermen member Joal Hall Broun, who served on the OWASA board for six years, said she thinks the top rates should be higher.
“If we’re really trying to get those large residential users to not use that kind of water, it should be double that,†Broun said.
Alderman Jacquie Gist said that to control both water use and runoff, the utility and the towns should get together and come up with a plan to discourage lawns.
Between new rules for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater and the cost of the water system, taxpayers are paying dearly, she said, “just so people can be surrounded by lawns.â€
Alderman Dan Coleman said he agreed that more needed to be done to help with conservation and agreed that the top tier rates should be higher. “Most people should be able to operate in the 10,000 gallon range,†he said.
OWASA has scheduled a public hearing on its rate plan for May 24. The new rates and fees would take effect on Oct. 1. Visit OWASA.org for more information, including an online calculator you can use to see how your bill would change.
In other action Tuesday night, the Board of Aldermen appointed Gist and Randee Haven O’Donnell as Carrboro’s representatives on the county’s Rogers Road Task Force.
The board also:
- Rescheduled a public hearing on changes to the town’s land use ordinance for day care to June 26;
- Set a public hearing on changes to the town’s land-use ordinance on affordable housing for June 26;
- Heard a report on the impact of new so-called “Jordan Lake Rules†which require municipalities to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater. A public hearing on the rules is scheduled for July 12;
- Awarded retiring police officer Robert Murdaugh his service side arm in recognition of his dedication to duty to the citizens of the Town of Carrboro.