Getting Fined for Saving Water

The Marin Municipal Water District said water consumption has dropped by 12 percent, mostly because of water conservation. The result is a larger water supply and an inadequate source of revenue.

Residents in Marin County will have to pay more for their water, ironically because they did such a good job conserving it. The Marin Municipal Water District voted to increase rates by 10 percent.

The agency serves 200,000 customers with 75 percent of the water coming from county reservoirs. The remaining 25 percent is bought from the Sonoma County Water Agency.

“We’ve seen the bottom drop out in demand about 10-to-12 percent, a reduction similar to if we had a rationing program,” said MMWD general manager “And if we have a rationing program, we automatically raise rates to cover costs.”

He also said Sonoma County increased the rates it charges Marin by 20 percent last year and plans another 18 percent hike this summer. To help save money, the agency has cut its budget by 10 percent or $5.3 million

Rates are set to go up, adding up to about 50 dollars a year for the average customer. Some residents don’t think the math adds up.