"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
The WBTV Editorial Board tries to take a "common sense" approach to issues facing our community.
We don't believe the same can be said for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Department or Charlotte's City Council, which recently approved changes to C-MUD's billing system.
It makes no sense to us that new water rates will rise for 94-percent of all users, but actually reward water-wasters with a lower bill! It could lower those bills as much as 40-dollars a month.
C-MUD justified those lowered bills with the argument that large water users are likely watering their lawns or washing their cars.
Water used in that way never enters the sewer system.
That may be true... but we think this form of fuzzy math sends the wrong message.
Just like the wrong message was sent by C-MUD following the record drought of 2007.
The utility rightly urged all customers to conserve water.
But when we did, C-MUD complained they weren't taking in enough revenue... so they raised rates.
In effect, they penalized users for conserving water!
But no more.
Now those who use the most water and have the greenest lawns on the block, will have a little more green in their wallets too.
And that just doesn't make sense.
Tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
