To the Editor:

In 2007 we had a four-zone irrigation sprinkler system installed in our High Bar Harbor gardens by a local landscaping company. It obtained the necessary township permit.

A letter arrived from the Long Beach Township Water/Sewer Department in March requesting proof of our sprinkler system permit and the announcement of an across-the-board annual increase of $292 on our next water bill (July 1).

It seems that this is a flat fee to all owners who have sprinkler systems. No matter how many zones one has, this fee will be the same. This is just not right.

By the way, this additional charge of $292 is more than two-thirds of our annual water bill.

Maryann and Bill Beitel

High Bar Harbor