Staring in the face of a state mandate, Bellingham city officials appear ready to begin the work of installing water meters at every city home and business.

State law now requires that all water connections be metered. It has given every city until 2017 to get that job done.

City officials estimate the prospect of retrofitting about 16,000 hookups with meters will cost $8.5 million.

We support the law, and the effort to install meters. In Bellingham today, one person can conserve water and be a benefit to the community while their neighbor dumps gallons into their yards and streets. Both people pay the same rate.

The non-metered system just simply isn't fair.

At today's meeting, the council will consider a phased plan for righting that situation. According to the resolution they will consider, the city will start in 2009 by making its current voluntary metering program free. The program allows citizens to get meters installed and switch from a flat-rate free to a metered fee. The city currently charges $150 for the installation.

In 2010, the city would begin metering residences that are already ready for meters but where meters have not yet been installed. That job is expected to cost $1.25 million. Starting in 2012, the city would then tackle the remaining homes, where installing meters will take more work.

The resolution calls for paying for the 2010-2011 work through issuing bonds, while the work starting in 2012 will be paid for by bonds floated in 2011 and then paid back in future water fees.

We encourage the city to get moving on these projects. They must be done, and they won't get cheaper.

>>Bellingham City Council, public works and public safety committee meeting

1:05 p.m. Monday Aug. 11 in the council chambers at Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St.

SUMMER TIME THE RIGHT TIME FOR A HISTORY CRUISE

Weather is hardly ever nicer than it is right now in Bellingham.

That makes this week the ideal time to climb aboard a boat and join in on Whatcom Museum's popular Bellingham Bay History Cruises.

This week's two-and-a-half hour cruise is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday aboard the 110-foot Island Caper, with tour guide Richard Vanderway, the museum's curator of education.

>>Bellingham Bay History Cruise

Tuesday and Thursday evening. Call 778-8930 for exact time and location of launch.