To the Editor, 

The breakdown of local utility charges in the recent [July 27, 2008,   
page D-1]  edition of the Times Dispatch was most educational.   
According to the article, Dominion Power’s bill includes a flat $7   
connection fee, and the city’s gas bill includes a flat $9.20 fee for   
connected to the pipes.   It is a shame that the article did not   
include the City of Richmond water/sewer rates when comparing   
connection fees. 

Richmond charges an exorbitant $42.76 just to be connected to the   
city’s water and sewer system.  These connection fees are three times   
the amount charged by Henrico County, and six times the connection fee   
charged by Dominion Power.  According to recent information obtained   
by the Freedom of Information Act, the city endeavors to recoup the   
entire fixed costs for its water system through these minimum   
connection fees. 

Last year, the Richmond Greens held a contest offering a hundred   
dollar prize for anyone who could identify a city in the entire United   
States with a higher minimum water/sewer connection fee than   
Richmond’s.  The prize went unclaimed because there is apparently no   
city in the country with a higher water/sewer connection fee than   
Richmond. 

The city’s outrageous water/sewer connection fee does not promote   
conservation of this precious resource and is unfair to senior   
citizens and those on fixed incomes.  Why should our senior citizens   
be forced to pay $42.76 before they draw the first gallon of water?   
This unfair billing scheme amounts to a regressive tax, placing a   
disproportionate financial burden on those who use the least water. 

If Dominion Power charged over $42 just to be connected to the   
electric grid, there would be a citizen outcry.   Water is a   
necessity, and the Richmond City Council must adopt a minimum water/ 
sewer bill in line with other metropolitan areas. 

Sincerely, 

Scott Burger 
Acting Chairperson of the Richmond Green Party