If you receive water from the City of Durango, you just got your first bill with the increased summer rates. Just wait until you get your July bill with this heat!
The increases were advertised as a series of small, equitable increases to be able to issue debt for the Ridges Basin Water Treatment Plant, a new facility at Lake Nighthorse.
What ended up happening was anything but small. Our rates are nearly the highest in the state even though we have a plentiful supply. Without an election, the city has piled up $11 million.
Rates were raised assuming voters would have approved the RBWTP project last year. This project has not yet appeared on the ballot. It is neither necessary nor sufficient to provide for our future water needs. Given this, it is hard to understand why our rates have been drastically increased.
The recent election of new city council members provides an opportunity to look again at this issue. The Water Master Plan needs to be updated to ensure that we are investing in the right things at the right time. Elections need to be held to ensure that the citizens approve of any debt required.
If this cannot be accomplished, then rates should roll back. Please contact your city councilors today and tell them you are concerned about your water rates. Email addresses are available on the City of Durango web page.
Jennifer McGrath
Durango
