Because the people of Ventura own their own water and wastewater utility companies, each year the rate setting decisions are made in public. And as a result of court decisions in other communities, we now notify each residential and business rate payer to let them know they have the right to "protest" any increases. If a majority protest is lodged, the Council cannot override it.Both our Water ($22M budget) and Wastewater ($15M budget) utility operations are "enterprise funds" that are kept completely separate from the General Fund.
So what do customers get for their money? Clean, healthy drinking water reliably delivered to more than 30,000 homes and businesses -- and healthy and safe disposal of the wastewater that goes to the sewers.
Just like city government (and family and business budgets) we've been taking a hard look at how we spend every nickel in water and wastewater. To keep a tight rein on rate increases, we've reduced expenditures and increased efficiencies and even postponed major capital investments in our system. We're also seeking to market the City's "allocation" of State Water which we pay for, but don't use, under the terms of a deal made decades ago.
Even with aggressive cost cutting, however, many expenses have increased, just as they have for families and businesses. Fuel and energy, which we use to pump water out of the ground and into the homes and businesses of our customers, has obviously jumped in price. We are also paying for major increases in water we purchase from Casitas Municipal Water District. That rate jumped 30% last year and another 10% this year and United Conservation Water District increased their pumping charges by 40% last year.
As an older community, our pipes and other facilities still need regular maintenance and gradual replacement to avoid costly and disruptive breaks. But, by far, the biggest cost increases have come as we've invested tens of millions in upgrading our water and wastewater treatment facilities to meet State and Federal Clean Water Act mandates. We simply have no choice in this regard. Both Santa Paula and Fillmore kept rates low while they neglected investing in modern treatment plants -- with the result that on top of paying hefty fines, they had to more than double rates to pay for urgently needed upgrades.
Nobody likes paying more for a basic necessity like water. But Ventura rates remain on the low side in our County. The proposed Water and Wastewater Rate increase is 7% for both water and wastewater for each of the next 2-years. If approved by Council, these increases will be effective November 6, 2008 and again on July 1, 2009. Brochures went out to all bill payers explaining the increase and a public hearing will be held at the September 22 Council Meeting, which begins at 6 pm.
Our staff are happy to answer more detailed questions. You can call Customer Service Manager Gary Lee at 652-4523 or Asst. Public Works Director Vicki Musgrove at 677-4133.
5 comments:
In an effort to reward those who use water wisely, the onus should go to those who use excessive amounts of water. Perhaps an accelerated pricing schedule is
in order?
For better or worse, we already do have an "accelerated pricing schedule." I say for better or for worse, because many years after its adoption, it remains controversial.
It clearly has been effective. We use less water than we did back in 1975, despite a major increase in population. Venturans are excellent at conserving water, in no small part due to the steep cost of higher than average water use.
On the other hand, we continue to have some homeowners who feel discriminated against -- because they happen to have large lots, often on hillside. They deeply resent being penalized for keeping their property green.
On the positive side, more and more homeowners seem to be abandoning lawns or tropical landscapes for more "native" landscaping that fits better our geography and climate.
One solution to the water consumption problem is to offer training to people on how to plant native or adaptive species plants in their yards instead of lawns. If the species are selected carecully, they should be able to survive without excessive watering.
Perhaps the city could even offer seeds or young plants to residents who are willing to replace lawns with natives species.
What ever happened to the voter approved desalination plan? With the improved technology in desal it is possible to provide much cheaper water.
Please visit our site wecleanwater.com
our products are more efficient and usually cheaper than liquid chemistry, on top of that its better for the environment. we can reduce discharge costs by up to 75%
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