Archived Water News Headlines | Municipal Water Issues

The following news stories were published during 2003 and 2004. Since a few years have passed since publication, you may find some link decay when clicking a headline.

Boulder considers reducing water rate (The Daily Camera News, 3/24/04) - Boulder may reduce rates for large-volume water use this summer and eliminate the price discrepancy between what the city charges residential customers and businesses. The idea — scheduled to be discussed by the City Council April 8 and possibly finalized April 20 — would reverse a decision last year to exempt the indoor water use of commercial customers from water rate increases.

Land deal mostly about water (Tacoma News Tribune, 3/17/04) - Tacoma Water officials have allied with a coalition of environmental conservation groups to buy 302 acres of forest in the upper Green River watershed, the source of most of the city's drinking water.

New water board wants $2 million in rate hikes (Gallup Independent, 3/10/04) - Gallup, New Mexico's water board presented its recommendations on water rate increases and if the proposal is approved, some water users will see their bills increase substantially. Larry Winn, chairman of the board, said members spent 42 hours over 14 meetings discussing the need to raise the rates and came up with various proposals that would raise up to $10 million more a year to pay for future water needs as well as replacing the city's dilapidated water system.

'THERE IS A RIPPLE EFFECT': Growth controls studied (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/27/04) - Efforts to solve Southern Nevada's water problems by restricting growth could trigger an economic catastrophe, according to a study presented to the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Pat Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said the report was meant to determine whether controlling growth would work as a means for drought management. "This shows there's a continuum of consequences to that," she said. Mulroy said the report in part also was meant to help authority officials answer the queries of other states that rely on the Colorado River. Those states have asked why Southern Nevada simply won't stop growing while the drought endures.

Orange County Water District's Water Factory 21 Passes Annual Water Quality Inspection; Final Water Quality Report Was Positive on Historic Water Industry Landmark (FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 2003). Highly purified waste and sewer water from the nation's longest running reverse osmosis wastewater treatment facility meets drinking water standards.

Boulder City Council balks at water rules (Reno Gazette Journal - 8/28/03) - Blaming the Las Vegas area's rapid growth for regional water woes, Boulder City officials have balked at approving conservation measures under the Southern Nevada Water Authority's drought management plan.

Senate passes water meter bill... Devices would be required in some cities, including Folsom and Roseville (The Sacramento Bee - 8/28/03) - Narrowed legislation requiring some California cities to install water meters was approved by the state Senate on September 3. About a third of the state's households will need to meter their water.

Water rate increase on tap Denver customers face 5% boost but still enjoy relatively low costs (Denver Post - 8/28/03) - Colorado metro areas such as Colorado Springs, Aurora and Boulder are hiking fees to finance the cost of storing and treating more water; Denver rates remain the lowest in the region.