By HEATHER C. COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Cities across Texas have raised water rates, in some cases due to the severe drought plaguing most of the state. San Benito will continue following suit October 1.
In 2009, the City of San Benito instated a six-year plan to perpetuate a gradual cost increase on water consumption. While this tax does affect the city at large, it does not affect users at the base rate.
“The base rate is based from zero to 2,000 gallons, and is very minimal” water usage, said City Manager Manuel Lara. Although the base rate has and will remain unaffected, only those using 5/8” meters who require fewer than 2,000 gallons of water consumption each month stand to enjoy unchanging rates.
Lara said the rate increase “for residents using in excess of 2000 gallons is as follows: 2001 to 5000 gallons, increase by $.04; 5001 to 10,000 gallons, increase by $.18; 10,001 to 15,000 gallons, increase by $.23; over 15,000 gallons, increase by $.23” per every thousand gallons consumed.
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2 comments
City manager Senor Lara is quoted as saying “People can’t expect everything to be free.”
Sounds like some quote from a Chinese fortune cookie.
This is coming from somebody who received an “all expenses paid” trip to the Chinese cities Shenzhen, Gingyuan, Guangzhou, and Beijing.
Water should be free we get it from nature the city does not produce it. Oh then we must be still paying for the system of pipes for supplying and carring the water not to mention the chemicals for cleaning it. And don’nt forget the flushing what would we do with out the city increaseing our water useage rates?