Green party supports issues other than The Ganja?
Turns out. If someone is going to mistake me, over here in my Haduken capacities, as a source of press and send me a press release, well, I am going to have to post it.
Apparently, and I expect someone more intelligent than I to read the press release and tell me if this is true or not, Richmond City gives you a discount if you use over 10,000 cubic feet (umm a lot?) of water each month. To subsidize that discount regular folks like you and I pay a minimum water bill of 43.55$. In Hopewell you can get your water bill down to as low as 12.20$.
So — assuming this isn’t a hoax0rz — call your council person and complain.
Full text of the release after the jump. Really, I am looking for thoughts on this one.
Greens Address Richmond’s Water Rates
At Monday’s Richmond City Council meeting, the Chairperson for the Richmond Green Party, Scott Burger, addressed city leaders about the City’s residential water rates.
The Richmond Green Party is very concerned about the wise use of limited natural resources, including water. In recent years, shortages of water have occurred in the Richmond area as the result of serious droughts and the unwise use of the resource. One important variable that influences conservation of water is the rates charged to the consumer. Unfortunately, the rates charged to residential consumers of water in the City of Richmond provide a discount for those using the greatest amount of water, and cause those who conserve water to subsidize those who waste water.
In other words, Richmond’s utility charges each citizen $43.55 in minimum water and wastewater service charges. Burger noted that with a mandatory solid waste charge of $17.50, and a recycling charge of $1.64 tacked onto the minimum water bill, the first glass of water from a typical residential service in Richmond will cost $62.70. It is unjust for the city to place these exorbitant service charges on minimum water use.
“It is shameful that Richmond provides a half-price discount in residential water rates for those who use vast amounts of water, over 100 CCF (hundred cubic feet). This encourages waste at a time when the water resources of the region are stressed,” said Burger, who also brought a chart of typical minimum bills for the area and displayed it at the City Council meeting.
Hopewell has a minimum water bill of $12.20 which INCLUDES the first 3 ccf of water, and Hopewell has a minimum sewer bill of $6.00 which also INCLUDES the first 3 ccf. Alexandria has a minimum water bill of only $4.17 with a cost of $4.06 for the first 2000 gallons. In fact is it is difficult to find any locality in the entire United States that has such outrageous minimum water/sewer service charges as Richmond. For example, Phoenix, Arizona (which has serious water issues) has a minimum water bill of $4.64 and a minimum sewer bill of $4.50 — and that includes the first 6 ccf of water! Even NYC’s minimum billing is less than Richmond’s: the NYC minimum water bill is $7.20 and the minimum sewer bill is $11.30 — and that includes the first 4 CCF. It is of interest to note that Norfolk’s minimum service charge is $1.00 and Norfolk’s web page indicates that this is to offset the actual cost of billing.
The Green Party of Richmond asks the Richmond City Council to eliminate the high volume discount rate in its residential service for over 100 CCF of water usage, and to greatly reduce the minimum water and sewer rates to actually reflect the minimal cost of providing water service. We ask that Richmond emulate Henrico County by offering a deep discount for those customers who use 6 CCF or less of water per month. By implementing the bi-monthly water billing schedule found in Henrico County, the City of Richmond could save further expenses.
Reforming Richmond’s draconian water rate structure is both a conservation issue and a social justice issue. No longer should we force those who conserve water to subsidize half-price discounts for those who waste water. No longer should a senior citizen or indigent family have to pay a ridiculous fee for minimum water and sewer service. By acting now, the City of Richmond will minimize water shortages in the future.
“Unfortunately,” said Burger, “this water rate situation is nothing new. In the 1990s, the Richmond Greens spoke to Council about the questionable dealings of corporate welfare groups like the Richmond Renaissance as well as double taxing utility gas service surcharges. Greens protested white elephant projects like the Greater Richmond Convention Center, long before it was on the cover of Style Magazine. We demanded accountability. Now in the 2000s, in the face of overwhelming evidence for global warming, we are here calling for green building and water conservation, the key word being sustainability. Please, please, heed us now, for the next word after accountability and sustainability is survivability.”
I like the greens, especially when it comes to local politics.
— Daniel | @
I mean I love conservation, but this pisses me off more from the poor-person perspective, ibh.
Are those “minimum” charges by year or by month?
— RMSzero | @
Month I *think*, based on minimal context clues. So I could be wrong.
— MaxPower | @
Washington D.C.’s minimum water/sewer bill (called metering fee) is $2.37 !
(click on see sample bill)
http://www.dcwasa.com/customercare/understanding_bill.cfm
— Scott Burger | @
Really? You guys have homes. Are you really paying the city $42/month? That has to be by year.
— RMSzero | @
I just looked at my bill. $21.19 for Water and $30.89 for Wasterwater… so $52.08 for February.
— Daniel | @
i live in the city and this month my water was 22.29 and wastewater was 32.58.
it does not break that down any further so you don’t know if there’s a base or how many ccf you actually used.
Daniel, if you don’t mind me asking, how many people are in your household?
what kills me is the natural gas. like almost $300 worth for january, so I got a bill for almost $400. poop!
also, those bastards have been charging me for 2x solid waste!? wtf!? i’m glad i looked at this; it’s been a while.
— Wolf | @
it must be monthly bc all of those other places include 3-6 ccf in their lower priced examples. 2 people taking an average length shower every day for a month would use up most of their 3ccf. i don’t know who is sooooo crazy to take a shower every day, but it’s just an example. so, you add in washing dishes, toilet, etc. etc. so unless those other places just give you a free month’s worth of water at the beginning of each year or something, then they must be talking monthly, right??
— Wolf | @
ting! Here is the city’s utilities rates page:
http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/departments/publicutilities/utilityrates.aspx#utilrates
— Wolf | @
so yes, people in richmond pay $43.55 per month for basically nothing (which is the exact number in the press release). sorry for posting a billion times in a row.
— Wolf | @
This is astounding. We should *do* something about it.
Seriously my mind is kind of blown.
— MaxPower | @
is the reason for the current system to attract big business into the city? like, “big business, come to richmond and we’ll give you half off your water bill?”
this feels like one of those situations where big business paid off the city council to cut them a break and stick it to the people. just a theory…
— Wolf | @
Wolf: It’s just two of us and some cats here.
— Daniel | @
just 2 of us here also. well, and 2 largish dogs, 3 water turtles (75 gallons) and 5 fish (55 gallons).
— Wolf | @
Wow, that is intense. I would be interested in typical water bills for a 2 or 4 person household for water in various places. Typical, not minimum. Because maybe people really do use $42/month in water, I dunno.
But otherwise, what the hell? 11% food tax + ridiculous water bills? Is there a reason why Richmond feels the need to tax the most basic necessities at incredible rates?
And we wonder why people are poor in this town. My goodness.
— RMSzero | @
I just had my bill out yesterday but forgot to write it down. It was around 52$ though.
Does anyone know anything enough about “how things work” to suggest an alternative? I hate to write my council person and be like “hey, I don’t want to pay money. FIX IT!” Maybe I/someone should look into how Henrico does it?
— MaxPower | @
The Green Party of Richmond asks the Richmond City Council to eliminate the high volume discount rate in its residential service for over 100 CCF of water usage, and to greatly reduce the minimum water and sewer rates to actually reflect the minimal cost of providing water service. We ask that Richmond emulate Henrico County by offering a deep discount for those customers who use 6 CCF or less of water per month. By implementing the bi-monthly water billing schedule found in Henrico County, the City of Richmond could save further expenses.
— Scott Burger | @
Scott, can you explain how the bi-monthly water billing schedule would “save further expense?”
— MaxPower | @
Instead of billing once a month, the City would bill once every two months.
Less mailing = more money saved.
— Scott Burger | @
Main Entry: 1bi·month·ly
Pronunciation: \(ˌ)bī-ˈmən(t)th-lē\
Function: adjective
Date: 1845
1 : occurring every two months
2 : occurring twice a month : semimonthly
— Scott Burger | @
Chesterfield - does it bi-monthly. It’s 4 of us and we only pay around $45 every 2 months for water/sewage.
Quick Question - I am always so surprised to hear what peoples Gas bills are in the City. Folks love to praise Natural Gas - and granted your bills are pretty low in the summer months but does it really end up being cheaper overall - compared to someone with all electric?
— Eric | @
eric, i don’t know the answer to that question, but dominion is increasing its rates to better reflect the rest of the energy industry (gas/oil). i guess they are still someone state regulated. i think it’s a increase over the next several years or something. so, people with all-electricity will start to feel it more.
richmond should have a fee for people who still receive paper bills then the \(ˌ)bī-ˈmən(t)th-lē\ thing wouldn’t be as much of an issue. maybe go bi-monthly still and save even more money.
i think i will write my council person. when i can get around to it….
— Wolf | @
Yeah I am familiar with the definition of bi-monthly.
I was wondering if there was some other reason than just less mailings. Still, I imagine you save a lot when you mail 1.5M less bills/year.
— MaxPower | @
I think for low-income families in the city. A bi-monthly City Utilities Bill would probably suck. With Gas / Water / Sewage all on one bill — I’m thinking bi-monthly may be hard to manage. I think for low bills bi-monthly works great. We pay our Ducks Trash Service Bi-monthly - only $28 and are Chesterfield Utilities bi-monthly of $45. Those families living in the city would get hit with a $600 - $700 bi-monthly utilities bill. I wouldn’t want to get behind on something like that.
However, it may be favorable for people - if the City would give a discount for those electing to have a paperless bill instead. Most car insurance, mortgages, life ins companies give a couple of bucks off the bill if you do this.
— Eric | @
Eric, sure alot of city homes have huge gas bills, but they also have homes built 100 years ago where you can feel if the wind is blowing, and 20 year old hot water tanks that run at 50% effeciency.
That being said, I still don’t know if you had to identically insulated homes how the heating costs would differ. But I can tell you that if you took those 2 homes and started them both at 50 degrees and raced to see who could heat to 70 faster the gas would win hands down, and that’s why I love it.
— nic | @
Expect another press release tomorrow on this.
In the meantime…
Whereas: The current water/sewer rates for Richmond’s citizens do not promote conservation of this precious resource
Whereas: The current minimum bill for Richmond’s water/sewer service is many times higher than the cost to provide the basic service
Whereas: Richmond’s low users of water are subsidizing those who waste or use high volumes of this resource
Whereas: Many of the low users of water in Richmond are moderate-income citizens
Be it resolved that: To promote conservation of water and equitable billing for those who conserve water, the Richmond City Council will:
1). Greatly reduce the minimum water/wastewater service charge fees to less than 1/3 of the current minimum billing
2). Offer a 38% discount in water rates to those using 6 CCF or less
3). Eliminate the volume discount for those using over 100 CCF of water
4). Consider introducing bi-monthly water/wastewater billing
— Scott Burger | @
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY:
water/sewer every month, billed as one: 14$ average, and i take long friggin showers. sometimes as low as 10$, 9$.
gas, from columbia gas of va, 40-100$ per month, depending on time of year, and hedonism level. gas does water heating, air heating, cooking.
also cable internet used to be 42$ a month, but comcast just bought our provider and now they’re popping it up to what like 65$ or something?
2 people, 2 cats, lots and lots of plants.
— midas | @
so you guys basically have a 45$ water tax? how about the solution is: repeal the water tax?
i feel like that spins a lot better than like all those confusing things in that list. plus it fits on a sign!
— midas | @
Technically its not a tax since its a public utility (the City owns it).
A couple of years ago, there was a surcharge on gas service (also a utility owned by the City) which functioned like a secondary tax. The money went into the City’s General Fund, which in turn funded things like loans to Cordish for Canal Walk development, Convention Center, and buying the old Thalheimer’s building for the VaPAF (which is a whole other scandal in itself). After we brought attention to it again and again at City Council, City Manager Calvin Jamison quietly retired it. Recognize much of this happened under Kaine, who is Governor now and dealing with Virginia’s General Fund.
Another important point to consider is that the City of Richmond sells a lot of water to the surrounding counties. Why are their minimum water rates lower than Richmond’s?
Stay tuned….
— Scott Burger | @
maybe it’s not technically a tax, but it functions as a tax, and a subsidy. and everybody hates taxes. also politicians love nothing more than to cut taxes. kiss babies, pay taxes? they just can’t decide.
“water tax” sounds evil, like “death tax” sounds evil. you pay a tax to die? booo! you pay a tax to drink water? to go to the bathroom??! boooo!
it’s all about branding. just a suggestion.
— midas | @
personally, i love all the whereases. i’d add some more whereases if it were up to me. maybe some thous and shalts. that’s hot.
— Wolf | @
I mean, the water utility is the government, right? And they are redistributing wealth, right? So if the government redistributes wealth, I don’t know what else you call that but a tax.
— RMSzero | @
this thing has gotten out of hand, out of touch. whatever people want to call it, it’s obviously not right and everyone here seems to be on the same side = opposing the current unjust water costs in da city.
Mr. Serious Scott Burger, do you have any suggestions as to whereas the average hadukener can do to be it resolved that we can make a real difference? for real, let’s do something. mofos.
— Wolf | @
I called the SCC this morning to see how to trigger a review of Richmond’s water rates. Unfortunately, I discovered that municipalities’ water and sewer rates are exempt from review by the SCC. As the nice lady said, “Good luck appealing to the Richmond City Council” !
Big question: I am thankful a FEW blogs like this one picked up on this, but what about mainstream media? I sent that press release to all the major outlets in town. Who is smoking the ganja now?
— Scott Burger | @
Another aspect to consider:
Turns out that getting the water turned off is what triggers being listed on the vacant property list. So if you don’t pay the exorbitant minimum rate, then the city whams you with a fine, calling it vacant property.
— Scott Burger | @
[…] Read the original post and excellent discussion here. Follow-up post and discussion here. […]
— Everyone read Haduken and make $100 « Urban Richmond? | @
I couldn’t agree more with this post. The price of water in this city is absolutely ridiculous. Where the money goes is another concern as I look at my bill for the past month, I see $21 for water, $31 for wastewater, and of course trash removal ($17.50 and $1.64 for recycling) for a total of about $71. I used 3 CCF of water this past month and put my trash out maybe twice. Recycling comes every other week and I might fill up the bin every other month. Two years ago when I moved here trash removal was about $12.50.
When my old roommate moved out of this residence, he transferred the water bill into my name. This effortless transaction cost me $35 as the city had to open a new account in my name which they spelled wrong.
I always love how the Richmond Utility Flyers state that the city is constantly replacing and upgrading the sewer/water pipes. I must be blind as I haven’t seen any standalone construction for water / sewer pipe replacement. I see them all the time in the vicinity of new construction like over on Monument and Willow Lawn.
And there are places with higher water costs but they add in a utility tax (New Jersey).
— Hokie | @
[…] While Oregon Hill resident Charles Pool and the local Green Party press for water utility reform (with some but not enough success), and the local Sierra Club calls for more conservation, VCU continues to work on its new natatorium designs, not to be confused with old ones. Posted by Scott at 12:58AM under community, government | […]
— Oregon Hill » Pools of Water - Richmond, Virginia | @