News KC Water-Price Gouge Two Years In A Row

BigChiefFan · 05-02-2012, 12:54 PM

Posted: 05/01/2012
Last Updated: 14 hours and 58 minutes ago

By: Chris Hernandez
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - May marks the start of a new fiscal year for Kansas City, Missouri.

That means your water bill is getting bigger

Laurie Brown uses a lot of water washing dogs in her one woman shop, The Groomery.

She's surprised to find out her water bill is going up 14 percent.

"I think that's a kind of a hard hit, all at once. It would have been nice if they'd thought ahead and did this over time," Brown said .

She knows the city had problems this past year with a record number of water main breaks - a break once forced her to close for a day.

Brown questioned how things got so out of hand: "Why hasn't this been managed up to this point? It's not like these things last forever."

Your water bill has three parts. Two are going up, again.

The water rate went up ten percent last year, while the sewer rate went up 15 percent.

This year, it's water up by 14 percent and sewer by 17 percent.

City officials say the water side of the rate increase pays for replacing and upgrading water mains to prevent future breaks and improve water pressure.

"Beyond the water quality, we have to be able to get it to you. And if it's running down the curb because of a water main break, that's not providing good service," said Terry Leeds, KCMO Water Services director. "So as our rates go higher, our service level needs to correspond,"

The sewer, or wastewater, part of the rate hike pays for the federally mandated sewer overhaul that will cost $2.5 billion over 25 years.

Which means you can expect double-digit rate increases for double-digit years.

The higher rates also affect many suburban areas, since KCMO sells water to many surrounding cities.

On the bright side, officials point out that the city has won many awards for water quality.

And again, the third section of your bill, the rate for stormwater services, is not going up this year.

Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/local_n...ater-rate-hike

**Donger** · 05-02-2012, 12:56 PM

I Hate Big Water.

Fairplay · 05-02-2012, 01:06 PM

Water bill is Kansas City's cash cow for taxes. I've been pissed about it also.

Here is an article- Plan emerges to cut KC's soaring water bills

But they want to pass a tax on water do do it.

http://voices.kansascity.com/entries...g-water-bills/

BigChiefFan · 05-02-2012, 01:26 PM

They are basically ripping people off. I can understand an increase, but they know this is a big rate increase and have no problem pushing it through. Sign of the times with these greedy holes.

**Donger** · 05-02-2012, 01:31 PM

How much do water bills run in KC anyway?

cookster50 · 05-02-2012, 01:31 PM

Same thing with electricity every year, double digit rate increases.

Stewie · 05-02-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

http://voices.kansascity.com/entries...g-water-bills/

Jeebus! I pay $30 every two months in Johnson County.

BigChiefFan · 05-02-2012, 01:39 PM

"The monthly bill will have almost doubled in that short span — even though the average customer is using less water "

Bump · 05-02-2012, 02:06 PM

If people start collecting rain water, they will make it illegal to do so.

**gblowfish** · 05-02-2012, 02:09 PM

It's not the cost of the water, its the cost of the sewer. They want to start overhauling the city sewer system, and that's going to cost billions.

**alpha_omega** · 05-02-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

It's not the cost of the water, its the cost of the sewer. They want to start overhauling the city sewer system, and that's going to cost billions.

Yep...which, frankly should have done a long f'ing time ago.

Fish · 05-02-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

It's not the cost of the water, its the cost of the sewer. They want to start overhauling the city sewer system, and that's going to cost billions.

I've heard lots of people mention this. Sounds like it will be a pretty shitty overhaul...

Titty Meat · 05-02-2012, 02:15 PM

KC is ran by morons

Imon Yourside · 05-02-2012, 02:24 PM

In Overland Park we pay separate Water/Wastewater and both have doubled in the last couple of years.

Inspector · 05-02-2012, 02:40 PM

Wonder how many others get to pay for the city sewers but not be hooked up to them.

I'm sure its totally understandable and justified though.

05-02-2012, 12:54 PM
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	KC Water-Price Gouge Two Years In A Row Posted: 05/01/2012 Last Updated: 14 hours and 58 minutes ago By: Chris Hernandez KANSAS CITY, Mo. - May marks the start of a new fiscal year for Kansas City, Missouri. That means your water bill is getting bigger Laurie Brown uses a lot of water washing dogs in her one woman shop, The Groomery. She's surprised to find out her water bill is going up 14 percent. "I think that's a kind of a hard hit, all at once. It would have been nice if they'd thought ahead and did this over time," Brown said . She knows the city had problems this past year with a record number of water main breaks - a break once forced her to close for a day. Brown questioned how things got so out of hand: "Why hasn't this been managed up to this point? It's not like these things last forever." Your water bill has three parts. Two are going up, again. The water rate went up ten percent last year, while the sewer rate went up 15 percent. This year, it's water up by 14 percent and sewer by 17 percent. City officials say the water side of the rate increase pays for replacing and upgrading water mains to prevent future breaks and improve water pressure. "Beyond the water quality, we have to be able to get it to you. And if it's running down the curb because of a water main break, that's not providing good service," said Terry Leeds, KCMO Water Services director. "So as our rates go higher, our service level needs to correspond," The sewer, or wastewater, part of the rate hike pays for the federally mandated sewer overhaul that will cost $2.5 billion over 25 years. Which means you can expect double-digit rate increases for double-digit years. The higher rates also affect many suburban areas, since KCMO sells water to many surrounding cities. On the bright side, officials point out that the city has won many awards for water quality. And again, the third section of your bill, the rate for stormwater services, is not going up this year. Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/local_n...ater-rate-hike
Posts: 15,777

05-02-2012, 12:56 PM	#2
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6849900 VARSITY	I Hate Big Water. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 191,037

05-02-2012, 01:06 PM	#3
Fairplay A certain set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: texas Casino cash: $10026683 VARSITY	Water bill is Kansas City's cash cow for taxes. I've been pissed about it also. Here is an article- Plan emerges to cut KC's soaring water bills But they want to pass a tax on water do do it. http://voices.kansascity.com/entries...g-water-bills/
Posts: 25,265

05-02-2012, 01:26 PM	#4
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	They are basically ripping people off. I can understand an increase, but they know this is a big rate increase and have no problem pushing it through. Sign of the times with these greedy holes. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

05-02-2012, 01:31 PM	#5
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $6849900 VARSITY	How much do water bills run in KC anyway? __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 191,037

05-02-2012, 01:31 PM	#6
cookster50 Supreme Commander of My House Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $23622	Same thing with electricity every year, double digit rate increases.
Posts: 3,445

05-02-2012, 01:39 PM	#8
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	"The monthly bill will have almost doubled in that short span — even though the average customer is using less water " __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

05-02-2012, 02:06 PM	#9
Bump YOU take YOUR seat Join Date: Nov 2007 Casino cash: $-1534895	If people start collecting rain water, they will make it illegal to do so.
Posts: 38,141

05-02-2012, 02:09 PM	#10
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16896178 VARSITY	It's not the cost of the water, its the cost of the sewer. They want to start overhauling the city sewer system, and that's going to cost billions.
Posts: 41,011

05-02-2012, 02:15 PM	#13
Titty Meat Inmem 2.0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: My house Casino cash: $-1052442	KC is ran by morons
Posts: 78,099

05-02-2012, 02:24 PM	#14
Imon Yourside WhatUneed2Hear Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: AllSoulsMatter Casino cash: $-916819	In Overland Park we pay separate Water/Wastewater and both have doubled in the last couple of years. __________________ "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" Peter 5:8 "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay" Isaiah 29:16 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
Posts: 47,491

05-02-2012, 02:40 PM	#15
Inspector MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: K.C. Casino cash: $9914975	Wonder how many others get to pay for the city sewers but not be hooked up to them. I'm sure its totally understandable and justified though.
Posts: 7,917