To deal with the drought conditions, officials say water and sewer rates could go up as much as $6.50 a month.
CHARLOTTE -- As the drought continues throughout the Queen City area, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities leaders say it has put a damper on their budget.
To deal with that, officials say water and sewer rates could go up as much as $6.50 a month because of the drought. The department makes money based on rates and fines, and has lost about $15 million in revenue since the drought began.
"We know conservation and these mandatory restrictions are still very important so we want to encourage that long-term conservation,” said Erin Culbert with CMU. “But in the short term we need to do something to recoup this revenue that we've lost."
The department makes money based on rates and fines, and has lost about $15 million in revenue since the drought began.
Three things are being considered to help the budget:
• Increase the annual rate increase from 6 to 15 percent.
• Move the annual increase from July to May.
• Create a four-tier penalty system instead of a three-tier system for those who use too much water.
"You really do still have control over your bill,” said Culbert. “Because we do use those conservation tiers, the less water you use the less you'll pay."
The Charlotte City Council could vote on the increases as early as March 24. If approved, the increases will begin May 1.