'Read the meters' | The Fresno Bee

The city of Fresno is proposing long overdue rate increases for utilities. Proposed water rates ignore state and federal law mandating use of water meters and instead propose flat rates that encourage high water use.

We have had a water meter since 1990 and have asked repeatedly to return to a metered rate to model water conservation. The El Dorado Irrigation District near Sacramento is streamlining its meter reading process and improving employee safety by using laptop computers that can read meters within 610 meters (2,000 feet).

To immediately increase utility revenues, reduce pumping costs of fresh and used water, and to comply with federal and state laws, follow the example of other communities and read the meters.

Scott M. Kruse

Fresno