Dear Editor,

My National Water Commission bill for December 2016 is 80 per cent higher than my average water bill, even though my consumption is recorded at only 15 per cent higher than the norm.

The bill indicates that a new method is being used to calculate charges which “will have no direct effect on the total monetary charges on your water bill”. It also indicates that the K Factor values have increased to 16 per cent, while the X Factor remains at 5.5 per cent.

Algebra was never my strong point, but having to pay almost twice what I normally do seems like a very direct effect to me.

Did the National Water Commission think they could slip this significant increase past the consumer unnoticed and unannounced?

I know I am not the only one affected because others tell me they are enduring the same ordeal.

How is this increase going to affect the standard of living of the average Jamaican? How many consumers is it going to force into non-compliance?

Water is life. It must be affordable.

Simon Casserly

simon.casserly@gmail.com