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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Sewer bills stink

I recently called the city of Spokane Utilities Department. Could my sewer bill really be $53? Response: “Yes, they’ve raised the rates again, and people are not happy about it.” (No kidding!)

I gladly pay $26 per month for garbage pickup. A real person drives by weekly and takes gallons of garbage to the incinerator for me: a visual process.

But where does the sewer money go? It is twice the garbage rate and does not even include the water! How could my “household of one person” generate $53 of sewage each month?

Who determines these rates?

Ellen Collyer

Spokane

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