Atlanta Water Shortage

The Atlanta City Council’s Utilities Committee has a plan in place to raise water rates by 27.5% this year and roughly 12.5% for each of the next three years.  Understandably, Atlanta residents aren’t pleased.

The increased revenue would go toward a $4 billion project to improve the city’s water and sewer system.  Atlanta has been showcased as a city in dire need of repair in those areas, so the plan has some merit.  In addition, the higher rates would likely help to curb usage and help keep more water in the system.

Water usage by Atlanta residents is a rather small piece of the problem, but anything to help people conserve would be a good thing.  On the other hand, the rate of those increases seems a bit insane, doesn’t it?  The result would be more than an 80% increase in rates in just four years.  You’d think there would be a better way.