Words about changing the Portage water rate structure are flowing as fast as the water from the opened kitchen sink faucet. Even with the faucet turned off, I detected an errant drop of water, a gentle reminder to call the plumber, and that the city fathers do have the responsibility and desire to operate under a reasonable city budget, as well as retaining natural resources accorded us in this place, such as clean air and adequate water.

The voice of the people is usually heard on issues that affect them directly. The placing of new sidewalks brings out more raised voices and concern than starvation in Africa, or that more snowmobiles will be allowed in Yellowstone Park. There is much discussion among the folks regarding the possibility of the city of Portage issuing water bills every three, or is it four, months instead of the monthly bill. It is an attempt to save money on postage, and the time of the water department personnel.

The Common Council brought forward the suggestion that, for those who would be uncomfortable with the one large payment every three or four months, the city could, upon request, allow the water user to pay an average amount every month, with the full accumulated bill due at the end of the multi-month period. It sounds as though it would be counteractive to the attempt to save time of the department personnel.

Within a lifelong realization that users should be payers, this writer has no strong position on the contemplated water payment structure change. What has been distressing is that Portage does not have any public discussion as to how its citizens can, and should, conserve water. There is very little incentive in Wisconsin to conserve its water in a plan that charges less for additional usage.

As water supplies continue to dwindle with increased usage, Wisconsin's Public Service Commission, which regulates all state utility rates, took a surprising and commendable step in May, when it gave the city of Waukesha approval to implement a conservation water rate structure. It would raise the residential marginal water rate, meaning extra units of water, beyond the base scale, would get more expensive. Waukesha is the first community in Wisconsin to request the conservation rate schedule, although other communities in the state are looking into it.

Western communities in the United States have used the water conservation rates for years. It is becoming more common on the East Coast, which is experiencing water shortages with its increasing population and droughts brought on by climate change.

Within the new Waukesha residential water usage plan, consumers would pay $1.95 per 1,000 gallons for the first 30,000 gallons used in a quarter. Between 30,000 and 40,000 gallons, the cost would rise to $2.20 per 1,000 gallons. Over 40,000 gallons, it would be $2.70 per 1,000 gallons.

Obviously, the plan is not to make water charges cheaper, but to restrict its unnecessary use.

There is a growing list of ordinary things that one can do to lessen the usage of water, such as: don't run water while brushing teeth, and don't water lawns, not even football fields, during a drought as the grass replenishes itself with the next rain.

The Ocean Conservancy suggests that individuals without low flush toilets, which should be mandated with any necessary new installation, "fill a plastic bottle with water and place it in your toilet tank to displace water and save up to 5,000 gallons of water per year."

Or the more basic suggestion, "If yellow, let it mellow. If brown, flush it down," which is apparently a motor home directive.

The average household does 400 loads of laundry a year, consuming about 13,500 gallons of water, bringing up the question: Why is it necessary to wash garments and towels after one usage, unless you are a coal miner?

In giving its approval, the PSC instructed Waukesha to evaluate its new rate structure and its effect on low-income families, as well as its effectiveness overall, and to return at the end of 2008 with another proposal.

The PSC should receive a round of applause for treating water conservation with seriousness. They also have hired a water conservation coordinator to work with utilities throughout the state.

You may ask, "Why save water?" The answer can be a reminder that the cost of constructing a utility plant, whether for water or an electrical generation plant, does not decrease your monthly utility bill. It increases it. So why not save water instead?

Another answer can be found in Rick Smolen's book "Blue Plant Run": "There's the same amount of water on Earth today as when the dinosaurs were here. Of that, only 3 percent isn't salt water and only 1 percent isn't locked in glaciers. That's not very much."

Meanwhile, be grateful for life's most important fluid, water. Pay your water bill, whenever it comes, and take steps to conserve water. Support, and encourage, your city to look further into the color green.

Blanche Murtagh is a longtime Portage resident and activist who has had many of her stories published.