Fee charged for new water meters - Modesto Bee
I am writing to express my opinion on the water meters that became mandatory in northwest Modesto recently. It is one thing to say we have no choice and have to have them installed, but now they are charging each residence $19.45 every month for said meters. My family has worked very hard to cut back on water use and has been successful, but due to this ridiculous charge, we still have a larger bill than before.
If we have to have these, there should be a choice as to whether to buy them outright in order to save in years to come. I am also wondering what gives the city the right to charge this amount monthly (per residence), and what this cost is going toward.
DIANE DAVIDSON
Modesto
Editor's note: According to city Public Works Department, the $19.45 is a fixed monthly charge based on a "cost of service study" adopted by the City Council in 2004. The charge includes the cost of the meter, of reading and billing meters and other expenses that need to be covered regardless of whether a customer uses any water. For residents still on the monthly flat rates, the fixed costs are included as part of the total and are not itemized separately.