Monday, July 6, 2015

The Paradox of Water Conservation

From the Associated Press and the paradox of cutting demand in high fixed cost systems --

"Santa Barbara, for example, expects to lose $5 million if residents hit the city's 20 percent water use reduction target. Residents are going above and beyond and reached 37 percent in May. That's good for water supply but bad for financial stability.

This month, water bills in Santa Barbara rose between $13 and $120, depending on water use, to help the city recover lost revenue and activate a desalination plant.

"Our folks are coming in and saying `Hey, I'm doing everything right, why do I need to pay more?" said Joshua Haggmark, the city's water resources manager.

It's not clear precisely how widespread drought-related rate increases are because no government agency or association tracks them."

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