Charlotte mulls higher fees for high water users

CHARLOTTE — Officials in North Carolina’s largest city are considering a surcharge for high volume water customers during droughts.

The Charlotte Observer reported that city utility director Doug Bean presented the surcharge idea to City Council on Monday. Bean says he’ll come back in six months with a more detailed proposal, but he says having the authority to add a surcharge would help in
future droughts.

City Council increased water rates by 15 percent last year after mandatory water restrictions were imposed in the record-breaking drought. The increase was about twice as much as usual and residents complained about paying higher bills while being banned from watering lawns.

Several council members say imposing a surcharge for big water users would help avoid the sharp rate increases that affect everyone.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)