Raise water rates only on the biggest users

Water isn't cheap, except in Carson City. Compared with surrounding towns and counties, Carson City residents and businesses get a good deal on their water rates. And while we appreciate a bargain as much as anybody, Carson City is going to need some major investments costing millions of dollars over the next five years.

That's why we support increasing water rates. But we have some ideas that would accomplish more than meeting the utility's revenue needs.

City Manager Linda Ritter has outlined a plan to raise rates in two 7-percent increments for a total of 14 percent by October. It's an across-the-board, one-size-fits-all increase and, as such, would be eminently fair.

With water rates, though, it shouldn't be about fairness. It should be about who uses the most and therefore puts the most strain on the system.

By the city's calculations, water usage has grown faster than the population. That's because there's little incentive to conserve, and no culture of conservation has been created.

Instead of across-the-board rate increases, Carson City supervisors should soak the heaviest users. The water utility already has a tiered rate system, so it doesn't require a new structure.

In fact, the city could give conservers a break by not changing the rate for minimum users, which is anything under 5,000 gallons a month, or raising the minimum to 7,000 gallons. People who don't have yards or have done extensive xeriscaping would be rewarded with no rate increase.

On the other end of the scale, homeowners with huge yards or wasteful habits should bear the brunt of the increase. The city could double the rate it charges for the biggest residential users - over 15,000 gallons a month - and it would cost those homeowners only another $20 or so a month.

Cutting back on water usage is far more cost-effective for both the city and for homeowners. That's the message new water rates should send: If you can afford to pour water on your lawn, you can afford to finance the city's water system.