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April 5, 2010--Water bills go up in down economy as usage drops (Denver Post)

The grim economy is hitting some consumers in the wallet in yet another way: their water bills. Many water utilities are raising rates because water use is down, in part because manufacturers have closed or are cutting back, tourism has fallen and the real estate market is in the doldrums. This is happening most everywhere. It's a regional thing, it's a national thing. Many, many (water utilities) around the country are seeing decreases in revenues. Because if industry goes down, revenues go down. A recent study by the Water Research Foundation, a Denver-based nonprofit, on the recession's impact on water utilities found that home foreclosures and business contractions have reduced water demand in many areas. Cities with high unemployment also have seen reduced water consumption as people move away in search of jobs, said Rob Renner, the foundation's executive director.

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