Tonight, the Charlotte City Council will meet to discuss whether or not to increase the water rates for city water users in Charlotte.  The Charlotte area was in a severe drought last year and city officials made pleas to residents to cut back on their water use voluntarily.  Some did but it was deemed not enough so mandatory water restrictions were put in place.  The restrictions prevented lawn watering, using a pressure washer, and even washing your car at home.  There were even ads that played on the radio that said showers should be reduced to half and the a bucket should be placed under the shower head while the water was heating up…to be used for dish washing.  Yuck. 

So Charlotteans did their part and saved so much water that now Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities (known as CMUD) is now facing a budget shortfall from a lack of water use.  Therefore, they have taken their request to the city council and its the council to decide how much you’re going to pay.  The figures released so far is that the average homeowner should see an increase of $6 per month on their water bill.  Six dollars isn’t a lot but why not cut back on the budget for CMUD?  I’m sure that running stupid commercials about recycling bath water and only flushing solid waste (if its yellow, let it mellow; if its brown, flush it down) should save plenty.  After all, why does the government need to advertise to me? 

Jonathan Osman
Charlotte NC Homes, Charlotte Real Estate