The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-10
tNEA Radiophoto>

the larger consumer should have some concession in rates when larg. CT quantities are used. It is there- fore apparent that the most equit- able system of water rates would provide Q variable charge for the quantity of water consumed which would decrease as the quantity of water consumed increases.
 Several different systems of slid. ing rates are used by water com. panieS. Only one, the so-called block system, is equitable. It is ape proved by authorities in the field of rate making and administratio All other types of rate schedules work an injustice to one class of consumers at the expense of others.
 The block system of rates Is de. signed to treat all consumers eouit. ably and to charge for water con. stunned on 8 absis more nearly ap. preaching the actual cost of fur- nishing water to Q consumer. It en- courages use of more water by large consumers, thus permitting them to receive the benefits of . lower rate. The greater conSump. ton oe water in turn reduces the unit cost of rendering service to all consumers, thereby making possi. ble further reductions in rates Tor all classes of consumers.
 The American Water Works As. soctation has formulated 6 recon. mended block schedule and has suggested the relationship in rates that will most closely charge con. sumers of various classes with their proportionate share of the expens- es of operating 6 water works sys- tenn. The recommended blocks and ratios have been followed in &orrns ulattng the suggested rates for wa. terbury shown later In this report,
 The cost of being ready to serve the customer is the second factor to be considered in arriving at . charge on water consumers. This Is the expense involved in being prepared to render service to a GUS. toner, regardless of the amount of water consumed. It Is the cost of keeping a service connection and meter in readiness for 6 consumers use, and of having in readiness plant capable of furnishing water to meet requirements. The cost of this service can be most accurately distributed on the basis of the size of meter used. For example, the cost of installing and keeping in readiness Q sS" meter Is consider. ably lower than for a larger con- surner who uses Q 6" meter. The customer charges should therefore be guaged accordingly.
 ', In spreading such costs, the Water Works Association and the New England Water Works Association recommend that an annual service charge be establish ed in addition to the graduated block consumption rate shown m the preceding paragraphs. They ai- so recommend the relationship that should be found in the rates for various sized meters that will most distribute the cost. This relationship has been followed in establishing recommended meter charges for Waterbury.
 The third factor to be consldered in distributing the cost of operating & water system among consumers on an equitable basis Is the cus- toner cost. This Is the cost of read- ing meters, billing, accounting, and collecting. The cost of rendering such services does not vary between customers, regardless of the amount of water consumed, or of the size of meter in use. The rate recom- mended for this purpose is $l.OO per year for each water consumer. Recommended Schedule of Water
 Charges
 Based on the foregoing discus sion, the following rate schedule should meet the Waterbury require ments on an equitable basis:
 For each customer there will be charged:
 (D An annual customer charge of $l.0O.
 lO An annual meter charge as follows: