Water Rates & Water Re-use

Thanks to Matthew Eisley for his May 18 column on planning for Raleigh's water. He is right, we must plan. This is a complex issue deserving of careful consideration and the public is well served to have it brought to their attention. I do, however, want to correct any impression that I changed my position based on our City's drought condition. When you review my record you'll see I've been consistent on the water issue. Last year during the drought, Councilor Stephenson and I were the only Councilors to question staff's assumptions on future infrastructure. Over time we've been proven right.

As I said before, our water system is like an aircraft carrier; you can't turn it on a dime. However, we do know we need to move FROM a system that assumes water is an infinite resource TO a system that recognizes water is limited and must be managed as a whole, and not just by selling more of it. We also need to reduce debt so we stop raising rates by double digits each year. Conservation and re-use help us reduce the need for new infrastructure so they help further reduce future pressure on water rates.

Furthermore, we need to make sure more of new growth pays for itself. This means shifting the burden from taxpayers to developers. It means higher capacity fees and possibly Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFO's) to ensure schools, roads, water and sewer exist before new neighborhoods go in, rather than as an after-thought. Taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook to pay for it all. Developers need to pay their fair share. This Council has already taken steps in that direction by increasing impact fees and water connection fees on new development.

We need a smart re-use system. Instead of just one big city-owned system we should create incentives for proven "local capture" solutions like cisterns, rain barrels, etc. so we can reduce the millions spent on new capacity. This is what I ran on in 2007 and have consistently supported. My council record clearly shows this. I look forward to working with all of Raleigh's citizens to protect the taxpayer, and plan a water utility we can continue to be proud of and remains the envy of other municipalities.

Sincerely,
Rodger Koopman