Why Rates Will Go up

The Real Relationship Between Conservation and Rising Water Rates

A number of articles have been publishedrecentlywhich report on rising water rates across the U.S., pointing fingers firmly at dropping national water demand - and the efficient fixtures and behaviors driving that drop - as the reason.

While this discussion brings much-needed attention to the infrastructure investments that are required to sustain our water systems, the focus on conservation as the primary culprit behind the increasing cost of water is inaccurate and misleading. Furthermore, this misrepresentation of the relationship between water conservation and rates is detrimental to efforts to ensure that consumers use water wisely and guarantee a long-term, reliable and affordable supply of fresh water in their communities.

Here are three reasons why water efficiency is a smart investment for both utilities and consumers and not solely a revenue buster as is currently perceived:

1. Water rates will rise regardless of whether water conservation occurs. Costs to provide water service are increasing all across the country, as utilities are paying more to deliver the clean, reliable water we expect when we turn on the faucet. They are paying more to obtain new and increasingly scarce supplies, treat water with chemicals to meet evolving quality standards, maintain hundreds of miles of pipe, and purchase energy, labor and insurance to deliver billions of gallons of water to homes. Just like any business, as costs of these inputs rise, prices must rise to reflect the value of the service. Water is a vital part of our lives, yet still typically costs much less than our monthly cell phone bill.
2. Water efficiency has been proven to actually slow down the increases in consumer rates. A study recently conducted by theCity of Westminster, Coloradoexamined the impact of their conservation programs on long-term water prices, and made a startling discovery. The study found that thanks to investments in water efficiency programs since 1980 Westminster residents and businesses had saved 80% in tap fees and 91% in rates compared to what they would have been without those water conservation programs.
3. Efficiency is often the cheapest source of new supply and can help avoid the expensive costs of adding new storage or treatment capacity . In water-scarce as well as water-rich regions, overall demand for water is increasing due to population growth, even with the drop in per capita demand. Every gallon saved is water that does not have to be pumped, treated and delivered - and the saved water can then be allocated elsewhere to accommodate new growth. In fact, the Alliance for Water Efficiency determined that the more efficient toilets mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 have already saved the nation 18.2 trillion gallons - enough to supply the cities of Los Angeles, New York and Chicago for 20 years. Furthermore, water efficiency helps reduce the need for excess withdrawals, thus protecting fragile watersheds, maintaining water quality, and increasing our resiliency to climate change.

Consumer rates are going up regardless of conservation, and dialing back water efficiency investments because we fear revenue shortfalls will only drive customer rates higher in the long run to meet the increased demand. Utilities that embrace efficiency as a way to better serve customers are utilities that will best adapt and thrive, because it minimizes costs in the long-term and maximizes benefits from smarter water services.

Source: National Geographic

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