Darrel LeJeune / The Basile Weekly
The recent winter storm experienced throughout Louisiana and Texas and the lack of availability of water in such conditions came only one week following the Basile town council’s meeting about the community’s water meters.
According to Heather Putnam-Lantz, Basile town clerk, broken water pipes were reported by approximately 40 addresses due to the recent record-breaking cold weather.
This certainly drives home the need for upgraded water meters which would be equipped to identify such problems, allowing the town maintenance workers to immediately shut off water at residences and businesses as needed until repairs can be made.
The town of Basile’s recent water rate analysis showed 741 total in town and out of town residential customers and 52 in town and out of town commercial customers with an average water usage of 5,997 gallons per month residential and 37,087 gallons per month commercial.
The current residential base rate charged by the town is $21 for residential and $23 commercial whether or not the customer resides in or out of town. An additional $5 is added for every 1,000 gallons used over the initial 2,000 gallons of usage.
The town council is considering raising the base rate by $1 per customer (residential and commercial) in order to fund the proposed purchase and installation of new digital water meters.
The analysis also shows that the town is charging customers a comparable rate in relation to other local municipalities.
A final decision about purchasing and installing the new system and increasing water rates will likely be addressed at the next meeting of the council and mayor on at 6 p.m. Monday.
Attendance is limited in order to maintain social distancing. The meeting is live-streamed on the Basile Town Hall Facebook page and is saved there for viewing after the fact.