Radio talk show host Matt Mittan was discussing potential rate hikes looming on the horizon for commercial industrial water users in Asheville. Nothing has been decided by city council to date. However, in a preliminary report delivered Tuesday, consultants reported the city’s large commercial industrial water users pay only about half as much per ccf of water as other users.
The discount may be viewed as an economic incentive or at least a savings for buying “economy-sized” water. Members of council have long viewed the rate structure as regressive. They contend people should be rewarded for conserving water. Esther Manheimer even suggested raising rates on industry and lowering them for single-family households.
At council’s retreat a week ago, Councilman Jan Davis went against the flow when he asked for fairness for big businesses, which are also big employers. Although Davis is a small business owner, he was opposed to favoritism for his kind of business over other kinds. Twice when Davis mentioned large industries he qualified, “if there are any left.”
Large water users remaining in Asheville are Mission Hospital and the schools. Rumors about the city raising water rates some years ago spurred Buncombe County Schools to request an exemption.
