Surcharge to Limit Water Use Now on Bills

A surcharge to encourage water conservation is showing up in customers’ bills for the first time, and some major consumers are getting hit big.

The surcharge makes residents and businesses pay extra for water they use over a specified level. The charge appears to be working; compared to the same period last year, water use was down 10% in the September-October billing period.

While 75% of customers used less than the limit, some saw increases: A Moonstone Beach Drive motel got a bill of nearly $13,000, with a $6,400 surcharge.