Two water rate web pages creates tiered confusion

While we're on the subject of City government: a mix-up on the City's usually excellent (and award-winning) web site has created confusion in at least some Bull City homes this week as new water and sewer bills arrived.

The confusion first popped up to our attention on the Watts-Hillandale listserv, where residents expressed confusion over the new bills:

these service charges make no sense if you look at "service charges" on the water mgt. web site
http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/wm/water_bill.cfm
it looks like they are supposed to be a flat fee and depend on the meter size.
Mine didn't go up until this month - last bill the service charges on our bill were appropriate.

And in fact, the web site this correspondent listed above is a real, active page on Durham's web site. Linked, in fact, from the left-hand navigation bar as "How to Read Your Water Bill" on a number of water department web pages.

Only problem is, these are the old rates. To see the new, tiered water rates, you have to go to the Water Management home page and click the red "Water and Sewer Rate Information" link at the top of the page.

So, just to avoid any confusion: To see the new rates taking effect on your utility bills, be sure to visit http://www.durhamnc.gov/departments/wm/water_sewer_rates.cfm. 'Kay?

Comments

[Shirley]

Mayor Bill Bell of Durham, North Carolina, will be on FAR ROCK LIVE to share his views about the good things that are happening in Durham; as well as talk about what he's gleaned from being in public office for over 20 years. Formerly a senior engineer for IBM, Mayor Bell was first elected to the Durham County Board of Commissioners in 1972, where he served until 1994, and again from 1996 to 2000. He was the chairman of the Durham County Commissioners from 1982 to 1994. Bell was first elected mayor of Durham in 2001 and was re-elected in 2003 and in 2005. Out of respect for his schedule this show will air on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:00 the phone number to call in to speak with the Mayor is (347) 202-0207. Listen on line at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Far-Rock-Live/2008/09/30/MAYOR-Bill-Bell-of-Durham-North-Carolina-on-FAR-ROCK-LIVE-Tuesday-Sept-30-200-PM

[Ellen Ciompi]

I guess this has been fixed because the rate tables are now identical.

Also, Shirley......your comment above is not pertinent to a discussion of confusion over water rates and the City's web pages. There's enough political junk clogging arteries at the moment without having a promo for a radio appearance by the Mayor showing up here.

[Shirley]

Well Ellen, since the post was pertaining to the subject of the City government I thought I'd put in my plug. That's what freedom of speech is about. You're entitled to your freedom of expression, and vice versa. Thank you for sharing and do tune to the show. Don't you just love America!