_Tariffs._--The tariffs charged for the water and drainage service (Table
17) were approved by the State Government (which accepts the
responsibility for their collection), under a compulsory State law which
came into force on March 1st, 1910, for the southern portion of the city,
and on July 1st, for the northern half, the penalty for non-compliance
being a tax of 10% on the monthly rental value of the property, as
assessed by the State officials.
The basis of the tariffs (which were published on February 22d, 1909) is a
charge for water varying between 12 and 16 cents (Mexican) per 1,000
liters, with a minimum monthly rate for each different class of property
connected to the system. The rate for house drainage is fixed at 80% of
the minimum water rate levied on the consumer. The minimum rates have been
fixed so that the poorer classes of the community will not be overtaxed,
while at the same time the rate is actually levied on the quantity of
water used, as indicated by the meter. All the services at the present
time are metered, and the meter system will be used throughout.