Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-12-15
SHOULD REDUCE
WATER RATES
Consumers Demand Benefit
From Municipal Plant
Through Reduction
RATES ARE TOO HIGH
Having Paid for Plant and
Extensions, 1t Is Time for
Much Lower Rate

The new water rate ordinance, over
which the city council has spent much
time in the past few months, shows
practically no change from the exist
ing rates. But two alterations are
observable. One increases the mini
mum meter rate from $1OO to s1.5O.
and the other establishes the old min
imum flat rate for residences, but per-
mits any size family at $1.0O month
while the present rate is $1.OO for a
family of eight persons or less. with
10 cents additional for every person
over eight
The reluctance of the council to re-
duce the rates can only be account
cd for by crediting their inability to
get out of the old rut. Because water
consumers have paid for the original
plant and all extensions in the past.
the present council appears to believe
that to be the only plan available.
When reduction to $100 month
for an average family for all uses
Is suggested to the members, one is
told that the reservoir must be COM
pleted before a reduction can be
thought of. The estimate of the en-
gineer on the cost Of completing the
reservoir is about $4,000. The water
fund has now $4,000 invested in sew
er bonds which might be used on the
reservoir, and, as the reduction asked
for would still leave handsome prof
It, it Is evident that to reduce the
rates now would not interfere with
the completion Of the reservoir.
The changes proposed in the new
ordinance seem to be made because
family meters were proving lower
than family rates, and it has not oc-
cured to the solons to make the
equalization by reducing the flat rate
instead of increasing that Of the met
ers. The returns of the past five
months show the system to have made
. profit of $3,325.21 a month. There
are about 1900 consumers on a flat
rate. Of which probably 1900 are fam
lilies. To reduce those families so
cents each, or 5000 a month, would
still show profit of over $4,000 a
month, sum sufficient to take care
Of all emergencies.
Since it's installation the city
water system of Aberdeen has been
made the goat of the city's finances
at the expense of the consumers. Be-
sides paying for the original plant,
together with interest on bonds, pay
ing for all extensions, those consum-
ers have paid and are paying for fire
protection and street water while the
property benefited escapes.
But, it is said, If we charge the
city for fire and street water it will
add to the taxes, and it is but taking
money from one pocket and putting
1t in another. No so. In great
many instances, it will remain in the
pocket. A majority of the consuming
families pay but little into the tax
fund, so that the half dollar month
would remain with them. Meanwhile
all property in the city would help
pay for all improvements and exten-
sions to the water system and many
Of them are nonresident owners OF
improved and unimproved lots, who
now have their property enhanced IN
value at the cost of the resident
water consumer.
When it comes to voting a water
district next spring, one of the best
arguments of the opposition to the
district will be to cite the unbusiness
like manner in which Aberdeen has
managed its water system for 20
years past But one reason can be
advanced for municipality owned
plant, and that is better and cheaper
service than can be secured from a
private corporation. Failing in that
as has the Aberdeen system. 1t Is
small wonder that private parties have
and still hold, hopes OF purchasing
this plant.
The question of lower water rates
will enter into the spring elections
to large extent unless the reductlon
be made now in the pending ordi'
nance.