Westminster residents have not conserved enough water under code red restrictions, so the town wants to offer financial incentives.
Water rates, which have not been restructured in about 30 years, decrease per gallon as use increases. But the town is about to contract Annapolis-based Municipal Financial Services Group to analyze the rate system.
“Right now, it’s kind of backward,” Mayor Tom Ferguson said. “It’s almost rewarding people to waste water.”
The town imposed water restrictions at the end of August, banning sprinklers, car washing and any other outdoor use.
Still, Carroll continues to use about 200 million gallons of water a day, causing Cranberry Reservoir to drop 3 feet ? down to 8 below normal ? in the past three weeks, Ferguson said.
“Since the restrictions have been in place, we still haven’t been able to get the water use down much,” said City Councilman Robert Wack. “The situation is bad, and it’s getting worse.”
He said he didn?t see any quick fixes in the next year only for residents to use as little as they need.
A pipeline running more than seven miles from the Cranberry Reservoir to the Medford Quarry is the town’s longer-term solution. It would provide relief for emergencies and droughts like the one Maryland?s been enduring. The $3 million project is out for bid now, and Ferguson hopes it?s done by next winter.
Meanwhile, officials are relying on residents to call Town Hall if they see anyone flouting restrictions. A phone call or trip to the house is usually sufficient to keep people in line, Ferguson said.
“The ultimate penalty, if you want to call it that, is to shut water off,” Ferguson said. “I don’t believe we’ll ever get to that point.”
