Drowning in high water bills designed to promote water conservation, Opa-lockans are shocked that local businesses are receiving a financial and ecological pass. 
When her June water bill jumped over $100, one life-long Opa-lockan was "shocked."
"I thought something must be wrong," Charmaine Jacobs said. "I never saw a water bill that high before, never. My mama lives in Miami Gardens and she don't pay half of what we pay."
What Ms. Jacobs would soon learn is Opa-locka's water billing system financially favors its businesses while residents are expected to bear most of the financial burden.
The head of the one-person household says her bill is usually closer to $28.
"I do not drink city water, I buy bottled," Ms. Jacobs said.
"The only thing I did different was when I watered my lawn twice that month."
By using more gallons of water that month, Jacobs got soaked under the city's three-tier billing system.
Jacobs is not the only resident complaining.
Quite a few of her neighbors are griping about the rising tide of water bills to city officials.
"I don't think there is an easy answer," Mayor Joseph L. Kelley said. "But we need to take a look at this so it's a more equitable solution between businesses and residents - especially in this economy."
The head of the one-person household says her bill is usually closer to $28.
"I do not drink city water, I buy bottled," Ms. Jacobs said.
"The only thing I did different was when I watered my lawn twice that month."
By using more gallons of water that month, Jacobs got soaked under the city's three-tier billing system.
Jacobs is not the only resident complaining.
Quite a few of her neighbors are griping about the rising tide of water bills to city officials.
"I don't think there is an easy answer," Mayor Joseph L. Kelley said. "But we need to take a look at this so it's a more equitable solution between businesses and residents - especially in this economy."
Designed to encourage water conservation, the 2008 three-tier ordinance penalizes residents by tripling rates when they consume more than 6,000 gallons a month. Rates climb steeper when water usage flows over 12,001.
However, commercial water rates remain steady no matter how many gallons flow through their meters. The ordinance shows financial favoritism while placing the bulk of the monetary burden on the residents. Trying to keep the bills down is a worse situation for Jacobs' neighbors, Audrey and Lawrence James. Couples and families are penalized for using more water on a single utility tab.
The three-tier system works against families because with more people living under one roof, water usage increases and when those numbers rise so do water sewer rates.
The James' bill usually hovers close to the highest rate in the three-tier system.
"I can't wash my clothes more than twice a month or else the water bill will jump up," said Ms. James.
Commercial accounts, however are billed under a different system, a single-tier plan. It neither discourages nor encourages water conservation.
In fact, no matter how many gallons a business uses, water rates remain the same.
And if Opa-lockans think their utility bills are high now, there is still more grief ahead.
Water and sewer rates are scheduled to be raised annually every Oct. 1 until the year 2012.
.........from helenberggren June 2009 archives
"I can't wash my clothes more than twice a month or else the water bill will jump up," said Ms. James.
Commercial accounts, however are billed under a different system, a single-tier plan. It neither discourages nor encourages water conservation.
In fact, no matter how many gallons a business uses, water rates remain the same.
And if Opa-lockans think their utility bills are high now, there is still more grief ahead.
Water and sewer rates are scheduled to be raised annually every Oct. 1 until the year 2012.
.........from helenberggren June 2009 archives
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