The Editor,
Re. "2-tier water rates OK'd" (The Tri-City News, Dec. 10) and "Pay more for pipes? You're kidding, right?" (Letters, The Tri-City News, Dec. 12).
A letter to Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart:
I would like to join those who have written in protest of the two-tiered water rates for single-family and multi-family homes. Frankly, I'm surprised that this has not generated more attention.
The house I live in was built in 1959 and the majority of homes in most of Coquitlam have existed for decades. When new areas are developed, the cost of pipes should be borne by the developers who profit from them, not homeowners in longstanding neighbourhoods who have paid ever-increasing rates and taxes for many years.
And I would like to see the study that shows people living in condos and townhouses use half the water that people in single-family homes do (and to know who financed this "study"). Are we seriously supposed to believe that they bathe, do laundry and dishes, cook, etc. at half the rate of those in single-family homes? This simply is not credible and I can think of any number of reasons why this conclusion might be skewed.
I also strongly object to the manner in which this slid through council, right after the election. Very underhanded, to say the least.
I truly hope that a fair and equal share of rates and costs will be considered.
Sarah Strom, Coquitlam
