By Jenny Owens Aggie Staff Writer . The Davis City Council decided Wednesday to begin notifying residents that come winter, water meters will be used to keep track of the varying amounts of water individual households consume. The City decided in 1990 to undertake the grand project of installing water meters in all single family homes. Bob Weir, Davis assistant public works director, said the decision was made so residents could begin paying for the actual amount of water used every month instead of just paying a flat rate.
Water meters get to the issue of equity by actually charging people for how much they use.
The council, in a 3-2 decision Wednesday, approved the mailing of a Proposition 218 notice for new metered rates. Under Prop. 218, which was passed in 1996, restrictions were imposed on city government that limited raising revenues in any way associated to an individual piece of property. Due to this provision, the city is obligated to notify the owner of the parcel that they have 45 days to protest any increases in fees associated with the land. If over 50 percent of the residents argue, the city must re-evaluate the issue of water meters. The bottom line of this program is that the community will ultimately benefit by being charged for what they use, no more and no less.