Water Rates

I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get it. This situation with our water rate hike because we saved the water we were asked to. I have lowered my usage to 48% of last year’s but my bill has increased. I imagine that if I didn’t use any water at all, I simply couldn’t afford it. We are told that there are fixed costs, but wasn’t any of this anticipated by the water department and means to offset the difference ever considered? Also, are those restricted hours that we are “permitted” to purchase water still in effect, and could we actually be fined for using a service we are billed for? I guess that the well-worn saying that “less is more” could be the new slogan for the water department, but I liked it when more was less. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.

ROB BIRO, Long Beach