Water prices and inflation (October 24, 2018)
The article about Apple Valley (and Yermo) water rates mentioned inflation (“Liberty Utilities’ Apple Valley, Yermo water rates focus of CPUC forums,” October 24, 2018). Out of curiosity, I decided to look up how much inflation there has been since we moved here in 2004.
According to the online CPI Inflation Calculator published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, what used to cost $1.00 in January 2005 cost $1.32 in September 2018, everything else being equal (September is the last month for which there are figures). So for the “65 percent of customers [who] pay about $100 every two months for water,” back in 2005 that same service would have cost only $75.54 — again, everything else being equal.
This means that over the last 13 years, “water prices” have increased by about one-third due solely to inflation.
At our household, our 2005 water bills averaged $54.48. At today’s prices, that average would be $71.62. With a little attention on conservation, though, our bi-monthly bills are averaging only $64.90 so far this year.
— Greg Raven is Co-Chair of Apple Valley Citizens for Government Accountability, and is concerned about quality of life issues.
Published: Daily Press