CFPUA Rates: Cheaper To Water The Grass Than Take A Bath

Under the CFPUA's newest inclining rate scheme it will be cheaper for some families to water their grass than give their child a bath.

When the new rates go into affect in May it will be cheaper for some Cape Fear Public Utility Authority customers to give their child a bath in the front yard than inside their home. How can that be? Under the new rate structure, families that have a separate irrigation meter will pay a mere $2.64 per thousand gallons to water their grass. Those same families can pay rates of $3.96 to $5.28 for the water they use inside their home.

The lower irrigation meter rate was implemented as a last ditch effort to provide relief for families and homeowners under the pressure of skyrocketing water cost. Some board members also saw it as a way to encourage consumption, sell more water, and increase revenue. If the CFPUA can increase revenue, it could lead to lower rates for all customers.

In the end, this change will offer little relief, as most residential customers do not have separate irrigation meters. It may seem like a good deal now, but customers may want to think twice before running out and having a separate meter installed. While the irrigation meter rate will be $2.64 in May, it could easily be changed to $10.64 or more, if the board so desired. A gamble most customers are not be willing to take.

The question many people are asking is how can the CFPUA allow for the unlimited use of water for irrigation at the first tier price of $ 2.64 while punishing families with second and third tier pricing of up to $5.28 for essential household use? The answer is simple: There is no explanation.

The CFPUA’s inclining rate billing structure is inexplicable and sends a confusing message to customers. The irrigation meter rate is a just one symptom of a problem plagued rate scheme that few can justify. Fortunately for CFPUA customers, some board members continue to advocate for a uniform rate which would bring an end to a failed and unnecessary inclining rate structure that does more harm than good.