Gilbert Water Woes: Small farms threatened by rate hikes

Residents who operate small farms say back-to-back increases in water rates are causing them to pay triple what they once did to water their animals and crops. Melanie Winfield raises 16 goats, three donkeys and 11 chickens on her one-acre farm near Cooper and Warner roads. She uses the goats’ milk to make all-natural soap that she sells to East Valley shops.