Editor's Note: the following was submitted to Sharon Patch by local resident Paul Lauenstein.

Sharon's award-winning water conservation program is saving approximately 100 million gallons per year (about 20 percent), which is also saving about $30,000 per year worth of electricity to pump the wells (reducing greenhouse gas emissions), $40,000 per year worth of water treatment chemicals, and millions of dollars in avoided costs of importing MWRA water. Less well pumping also improves our drinking water quality, and spares more water for local brooks and wetlands.

Sharon is demonstrating the great potential for efficient use of resources like water and energy, which helps our economy, our health, and our environment, and creates a brighter future for our children. 

Conservation-oriented water rates are the foundation of Sharon's water conservation program. However, a proposal to replace them with a much higher fixed fee and a single usage rate would increase water bills for those who save water and lower water bills for heavy users, thus greatly reducing the incentive to conserve. 

Please sign the Sharon water rates petition here.

Paul Lauenstein
4 Gavins Pond Road
Sharon, MA 02067
781-784-2986