Save water, shell out more

Been trying to help save the Earth by conserving water? The Portland Water District will thank you by raising its rates on the water you do use. At a public hearing on Monday, March 8, at 6:30 pm at the PWD headquaters (225 Douglass Street, Portland), PWD officials will explain why people using less water means everyone has to pay more.

And mind you, this doesn't mean paying a little more for what little water you use - the PWD itself estimates that typical residential users will actually pay more money overall, according to a letter sent to PWD customers last week.

Several Maine businesses found themselves in a similar pickle regarding electric rates not that long ago, and the Maine Public Utilities Commission acted to fix the problem. It remains to be seen whether the PUC will try to fix this mess.

If you want to object, you have to tell both the PUC and the PWD.