My Water/Sewer Usage

My Water/Sewer Usage: A Tale of Truth

I am not sure why some people in Longmeadow are all that upset about their water bills. If you use a lot of water, then you should pay more than those who use less.

If you own a swimming pool and you irrigate your lawn, you use a lot of water and you should, if you are reasonable, expect to be charged more for it than those who use less.

As a public service, here is my water usage and water costs for the last five (5) years. As a few words of explanation: I am a single occupant of my house; I do not water my lawn; I do not own a swimming pool; I hand water my tomato plants.

Year: Spring:HCF Fall:HCF Total:HCF Cost:

2003 20 22 42 $125.46

2004 22 23 45 $131.85

2005 19 25 44 $128.92

2006 18 52 70 $205.10

2007 14 32 56 $148.95


Average: 18.6 Average: 30.8 Average: 51.4 $148.06



2007 Old Rate = 1.33 per HCF Water 14 = $18.62 ($20.00 is minimum.)
Old Rate = 1.60 per HCF Sewer 14 = $22.40 $42.40 paid

2007 New Rate = 1.50 per 1st 25 HCF Water 32 = 49.75
New Rate = 1.75 per next level 7 HCF
New Rate = 1.40 per 1st 25 HCF Sewer 32 = 46.20
New Rate = 1.60 per next level 7HCF
Add Sewer /Water Meter = 10.60

TOTAL = $106.55

If we reduce the amount that the large users pay, per HCF, we will have to increase the amount the small users pay, per HCF, since we have to come up with the requisite money to pay Springfield for the water we buy from them. It is a question of fairness. We have to pay Springfield a fixed amount, so shouldn’t the largest users pay the largest amount? And not at the same rate, but at a graduated rate? A flat tax rate is unfair and a flat water rate is unfair.