FLINT, MI -- Flint water rates are almost eight times higher than the national average, according to an investigator for environmentalist Erin Brockovich.

Bob Bowcock, who toured the Flint water plant and joined a City Hall water protest last month, made the claim in a Monday, March 16, letter to Mayor Dayne Walling and the Flint City Council.

"Bottom line, if the city of Flint is no longer purchasing water but rather using its local supply ... the city of Flint could likely reduce its rates by as much as 50 percent and still have reserves enough to maintain the water system properly," Bowcock's letter says.

City Council members and customers have become increasingly frustrated by the price and quality of Flint water -- particularly since the city began using the Flint River was its water source 10 months ago.

A 2014 MLive-Flint Journal analysis of water rates in Genesee County showed that the city charged $35 more per month in water and sewer rates than the next-highest municipality in the county, and $90 more monthly than the lowest.

As water rates continued to rise 6.5 percent in the current fiscal year, problems with bacteria and total trihalomethanes have also been on the rise, although testing in January and February showed Flint water was meeting all drinking water standards.

Walling said Tuesday, March 17, that Flint's rates are "too high" as water prices tend to be in larger or older cities, and 8th Ward Councilwoman Vicki VanBuren called it "an embarrassment to have these kind of charges."

"I'm surprised more businesses haven't jumped out of here to leave" because of water rates, VanBuren said. "I hope this stirs things up ... (and) people ask: Why are the citizens being ripped off."

Bowcock said Flint residents are paying $15.80 per 1,000 gallons of water after service and use fees are combined, compared to just over $2 per 1,000 gallons on average nationwide.

"This is the highest I've seen" anywhere, Bowcock said of Flint's water rates.

He said budget documents he has been referred to on the city's Web site also don't provide enough information for citizens to be able to evaluate how money is being spent.

Bowcock suggested Flint roll back water rates by at least a third, effective immediately, and better explain how revenue generate by the system is being spent.

"You can't just go back to the citizens (charging that price) such a basic necessity as water. (That's) wrong," he said.

Walling said he will consider Bowcock's opinions as he prepares a proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

"Every option available to us will be discussed in the budget process," Walling said. "It's important to discuss the specific tradeoffs between rates, infrastructure needs and the city's financial obligation to employees and retirees."

The City Council on Monday, March 16, voted to make the water quality and price budget priorities in the coming fiscal year.

Melissa Mays, who coordinated Bowcock's visit to Flint in February, said she wasn't surprised by the conclusion in his letter to city officials -- just how much higher prices have climbed compared to other areas of the country.

"This is outrageous," Mays said. "(What's) shocking is that (rates) are that much more."

"I figured it was high, but not that high," she said. The numbers are "black and white and there's such a lack of transparency."

Jason Lorenz, a city spokesman, said Tuesday that Bowcock's letter is being reviewed by Department of Public Works Director Howard Croft and emergency manager Jerry Ambrose.

"We're still looking over the (letter)," Lorenz said. "We haven't had a chance to completely review it. We are aware the rates are high. Along with water safety and quality, it's something we continue to work on."

Ambrose said in a March 3 letter to the state Department of Treasury that city officials should be "concentrating on how to reduce rates by 50 percent or more" rather than spending more money to reconnect Flint to Lake Huron water through the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.