With the arrival of your June water bill, consider how Durango ended up with one of the highest water rates in the state.

In public meetings, the city informed us that an initial 55 percent rate hike was justified to fund a new potable water treatment plant. The city now states the rates have risen 250 percent and a potable treatment water plant is a long term plan.

The city informed us that due to years of low water rates, the coffers were running low. In 2014, when the rate study was adopted, the city’s financial documents show a cash balance of $10 million in the water fund. The city said they evaluated surrounding communities and determined that the new rates are comparable to surrounding communities.

However, my $200 water bill would only be $95 in Bayfield. The city approved the rate study which recommended a third party review the rates in 2016. The city has not completed this.

The city hasn’t updated our Water Master Plan nor employed a public works director in years. The city is planning the future of our water with outdated information and without a licensed professional engineer supervising the utilities department.

Making a livable wage in Durango is hard enough. Our water rates inequitably place stress on families in Durango.

Tell the Durango City Council what they have done is not justified, and the rates must be lowered. If they don’t hear from you, the plan is to hike the rates for the next six years.

John Simpson

Durango