Facility Managers Oppose Water Rate Hikes, Survey Finds

by | Jan 29, 2013

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While 62 percent of facility managers believe the cost for water will go up moderately in their communities in years to come, less than 30 percent said costs should go up to encourage conservation and more efficient water use, according to a survey conducted for Waterless Co., a manufacturer of no-water urinal systems and other restroom products.

Additionally, less than half supported mandatory restrictions on water use to encourage water conservation, according to the survey.

On housing development, the managers’ outlook was different. Nearly 34 percent of those surveyed believed that their states should put restrictions on new housing developments, if the states experience a water shortage. About 28 percent said “some restrictions” should be considered in such situations, while nearly 40 percent opposed any building development restrictions whatsoever.

It appears that facility managers are taking matters into their hands somewhat. Nearly 67 percent said they had installed waterless or no-water fixtures in restrooms in both their homes and the facilities they manage.

E-mail invitations to participate in the online survey were sent to facility managers located in the United States. One hundred and two managers participated in the survey.

Earlier this month, Waterless said the US water shortage is turning out to be even more pressing than the General Accounting Office predicted.

In 2003, the GAO issued a report warning that by 2013 at least 36 states could face water shortages. But by 2008 at least 36 states were already dealing with periodic if not chronic water shortages, with California, New Mexico, and Arizona at the top of the list, Waterless said.

Waterless CEO and founder Klaus Reichardt said there is a great risk of all-time low levels in the Lake Michigan/Huron water systems in 2013, and water and sewer rates will continue to rise in most parts of the US this year.

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