Math-Challenged

It happens.
We adults get older and our brains aren't in the daily habit of performing math functions.

Today's Castanet story, entitled Clean Water Not Cheap stated that "...the average residential (water) annual bill increased 184 per cent between 2003 and 2019, from $295 to $809."  (Note:  after blog publication, the Castanet story was revised to state:  " the average residential annual bill increased dramatically between 2003 and 2019, from $295 to $809.")

Oops...No it's not.

It's an 174 per cent increase.

Forget how to calculate this stuff?
Easy...peasy...

To calculate percentage increase, first subtract the two amounts.  (809 - 295 = 514).
The difference is then divided by the original amount.
514 divided by 295 x 100 = 174 per cent.

But, for me, it's the statement of Zee Marcolin, utilities general manager, that has me scratching my head:

"Marcolin says Greater Vernon has higher rates than other communities because it took action first to meet water quality standards."

Huh?
So it would've been cheaper to wait?
And not be first?

Kinda like the following unrelated cost graphic explains?
Yessireebob...

An even more telling increase in water rates is that of our property.
Before it was Highlands Golf, we were paying about $700 annually.

Now?  Are you sitting down?

Now we pay about $6,000 a year for water...
That's a 757 per cent increase since 2000 (previous year's records were shredded).


"Sounds like communication-challenged is the issue," Kia would've said.


Uppa, uppa, uppa she goes...