Unnecessary
reason I | reason III | reason IV | Reason V | reason vi | reason vii | reason Viii | reason IX | reason X
Top 10 Reasons Why the Lake Powell Pipeline Isn’t Needed
2. Washington County has America’s cheapest water rates, which explains why they are one of America’s biggest water wasters
Washington Water District’s high property tax collections have created the cheapest water rates in the country, which explains why the region has such high water use.
Washington County water users pay only $1.83 per 1000 gallons of water. At such a low price, overuse of water has little effect on monthly bills. This means there is little incentive to use less water and explains why Washington County uses a colossal 302 gpcd.
If Washington County priced water at its true cost, like other western cities, basic market principles dictate that the county would reduce its overall water use.
Cheap water rates sound like a good deal until one realizes the Washington County Water District receives more money collecting property taxes from residents and businesses than from selling water. These property taxes not only hide the true cost of water from the consumer, they greatly increase water use. That’s why Washington County has some of America’s cheapest water rates and some of the highest per person water use in the nation.
Phasing out these property taxes and requiring the District to charge realistic water rates would save billions of gallons of water every year, while reducing the tax burden on residents and businesses.