SPOKANE—The Spokane City Council voted late Monday to approve a new water rate system. It is expected to decrease water rates by almost 40%.
The new plan is expected to start just before summer when people are more likely to use sprinklers.
Under the old water rate system, those who use more water were charged at a higher rate. However, city officials said it increased the cost of water for most people in Spokane.
Officials said the average monthly summer bill in 2012 was around $55 for consuming 27,000 gallons of water. Under the new plan, the same usage is expected to cost around $35.
The new water rate plan is only good for one year. The council will revisit the issue then.
