Fulton County proposes raising water rates for the next three years (Atlanta: landscaping, maintenance)

[LynnHarris1]

Fulton County is considering raising water rates by 5 percent annually for the next three years.

County commissioners began raising rates in 2017, when they approved a 5 percent annual increase through 2019 to pay for more than half a billion in improvements to sewage treatment plants and other infrastructure. The next round of increases was anticipated — but the proposal is higher than what was originally expected..."

FULL STORY: https://www.ajc.com/news/local/fulto...92BM1i2gkAkxH/

SOURCE: AJC

[ATLTJL]

Good Lord. Why can't Atlanta get its water right?

Remember when they had to raise rates like 50% to replace all the pipes?

[seussie]

An average household's water usage is 6000 gallons. That seems incredibly high... Now that I think about it, my 2-person household uses about 2,100 gallons per month in the entire year. A family probably increases that by 1K per person. Well, alright then. Water quality and sewage abatement might be a campaign topic for the next mayoral race.

[LTCM]

Originally Posted by seussie

An average household's water usage is 6000 gallons. That seems incredibly high... Now that I think about it, my 2-person household uses about 2,100 gallons per month in the entire year. A family probably increases that by 1K per person. Well, alright then. Water quality and sewage abatement might be a campaign topic for the next mayoral race.

Do you have landscaping that gets watered?

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by seussie

An average household's water usage is 6000 gallons. That seems incredibly high... Now that I think about it, my 2-person household uses about 2,100 gallons per month in the entire year. A family probably increases that by 1K per person. Well, alright then. Water quality and sewage abatement might be a campaign topic for the next mayoral race.

Our three-person household averages between 3,000 and 3,500 gallons per month over the past year.

[atler8]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Good Lord. Why can't Atlanta get its water right?

Remember when they had to raise rates like 50% to replace all the pipes?

As a long-time Atlantan, I recall this issue as going way, way back in time.
The problem is that for decades various types of infrastructure, such as that for water works, sewer & streets, were overlooked or mismanaged.
Shortly after I moved here in 1979, a segment of the Techwood Viaduct collapsed. As it happens, that bridge had been decaying for years but was overlooked when the maintenance & repair budgets were put together in the city.
Pushing infrastructure work down the road is akin to kicking the can down the street & irresponsible. When the work is eventually done, not only are the repair or improvement needs more extensive but the cost is always markedly higher.
If you think about it, not only did this occur in the City of Atlanta long ago but an honest appraisal of our current situation shows that we are presently doing this on a national basis as well.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Good Lord. Why can't Atlanta get its water right?

Remember when they had to raise rates like 50% to replace all the pipes?

Different agency from Atlanta Watershed.

[ATLTJL]

Maybe, but it makes no difference to the average consumer.

The end result is the same: higher water bills.

[seussie]

Originally Posted by LTCM

Do you have landscaping that gets watered?

I do have a fairly large front and backyard, but only a few plants need the touch of a water from a pale three times a month. Do you find 2100 to be substantial?

[LTCM]

Originally Posted by seussie

I do have a fairly large front and backyard, but only a few plants need the touch of a water from a pale three times a month. Do you find 2100 to be substantial?

It's low, but not crazy low. When our family was just two, we used about 2700 during months with no watering. I do like an abnomily long shower.

During periods of drought it can be insane....7000 gallons.... But I love my grass so that hurts, a lot.

Edit:. Do you mean sustainable in the environmental sense or in the lifestyle sense?