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Laundromat hit hard by new water surcharges
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Many water district customers feel their hard-earned dollars are going down the drain as a result of new surcharges. Nonprofit groups and small companies have been hit hard, and some businesses need water to stay in business. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Many water district customers feel their hard-earned dollars are going down the drain as a result of new surcharges. Nonprofit groups and small companies have been hit hard and some businesses need water to stay in business.
Fewer quarters and dollars are flowing in to the Rainbow Laundromat at Sahara and Rainbow, while far more quarters and dollars are flowing out.
Mary says the Southern Nevada Water Authority should rescind the new rates.
"I think they should back off because that's one of my biggest expenses," Trejo said. "My highest expense is the water."
The SNWA increased fees to pay for projects like getting water from Lake Mead, and based those fees on water meter sizes. The bigger the meter, the bigger the fee.
Trejo says her water bill skyrocketed by 25 percent. Now, her laundromat is often empty, and the once-packed dry cleaning racks are half-full.
Things have gotten so tough, she had to let her one employee go. Her husband and son are helping her keep the business afloat.
Like many strip mall businesses, Trejo says her landlord pays the water bill, which now includes charges for fire meters, hydrants and sprinkler connections that used to be free. The landlord is passing the higher costs to the tenants.
She hasn't raised prices for two years, trying to hang on to customers. But as her profits get washed away with the new water surcharges, she's considering passing her costs on too.
The next SNWA board meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, June 21. There's no word on whether any surcharge changes will be made, despite widespread complaints, until a citizens advisory committee meets over the next few months.
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