HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 Rate Increase Notice - Recycled Water ServiceNotice of Recycled Water
Rate Increase
NOTICE OF INCREASED RECYCLED WATER RATES AND CHARGES
FOR WATER BILLED IN JANUARY 2017
Dear Customer,
An overall average rate increase of 5.0 percent was approved by the Otay Water District (the
“District”) as part of the annual budget adoption process completed in May 2016. The new rates
and charges become effective January 1, 2017. Depending on your billing cycle, the new
rates and charges will apply to water used as early as the beginning of December 2016.
This letter serves as a 30-day notice of rate increases.
Recycled water rates are based in part on the cost of potable water from the District’s
wholesale suppliers. To continue providing reliable high-quality service, the District must
implement rate increases and pass-through to its customers higher costs from wholesaler water
suppliers. One hundred percent of this increase is a direct result of higher costs from suppliers
that include the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), San Diego County
Water Authority (CWA), and the City of San Diego.
Producing and distributing recycled water is costly and the District is a revenue-neutral public
agency. To help offset the cost of supplying this alternative water sources, the District receives
financial incentives from its wholesale water suppliers (MWD and CWA). Everyone benefits from
recycled water, including potable water customers, because it diversifies our water sources.
Therefore, potable and recycled water rates are calculated in a combined manner. Recycled water
users incur additional expenses to meet recycled water regulatory requirements. Recycled rates
are discounted by 15 percent, recognizing the added expense to use recycled water. Today,
approximately 13 percent of the District’s water supply is made up of recycled water and there are
plans to continue expanding the system.
On September 4, 2013, the District adopted a five-year schedule of rates in compliance with
applicable provisions of the law. This increase is within the limits approved in the five-year
schedule of rates.
For its part, the District works to minimize internal costs including reducing the number of full-
time employees and institutes efficiency measures that help limit the impact of higher rates from
suppliers. The District’s goal is to remain among the lower cost water service providers in San
Diego County. For more information about District-wide efforts to streamline operations, go to
www.otaywater.gov or contact us at info@otaywater.gov.
Customers interested in learning ways to reduce their water use to minimize the effects of this
rate increase can visit the District’s conservation pages at www.otaywater.gov. The District
provides information on rebates, incentives, water audits, and other resources to help customers
save water.
In addition, the Water Conservation Garden located in Rancho San Diego is open to the public
and offers various conservation exhibits and classes to help you save water. Visit the Water
Conservation Garden at www.thegarden.org.
Dedicated to Community Service
Otay Water District
2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978-2014
619-670-2222
www.otaywater.gov
Si requiere asistencia en español con referencia a esta notificación, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.
1. Recycled water rates are based on meter size and the number of recycled water units used each month. Customers
outside the Otay Water District, in an Improvement District, or using temporary meters pay two times this rate. A unit of
recycled water equals 748 gallons.
2. Systems Fees vary based on meter size. This fee pays for betterment, replacement, and maintenance of water system
infrastructure, as well as operating expenses. The system fee is decreasing, reflecting the lower funding of reserves.
3. The Energy Charge represents the cost of energy required to pump each unit of recycled water 100 feet in elevation.
This is charged proportionately for every foot of elevation over 450 feet.
4. This charge is a per unit charge in lieu of tax revenues paid by non-government customers.
Consumption Fees by Meter Size
Current New Current New
Recycled Irrigation Usage Fee1 (3/4" to 1.0" meter) Recycled Irrigation Usage Fee1 (1 1/2" to 2.0" meter)
Consumption Blocks (units)1 Consumption Blocks (units)1
0 - 32 $4.08 $4.85 0 - 130 $4.08 $4.85
33 - 75 $4.14 $4.92 131 - 325 $4.14 $4.92
76 or more $4.20 $4.99 326 or more $4.20 $4.99
Recycled Irrigation Usage Fee1 (3" & 4" meter) Recycled Irrigation Usage Fee1 ( >6" meter)
Consumption Blocks (units)1 Consumption Blocks (units)1
0 - 440 $4.08 $4.85 0 - 4,000 $4.08 $4.85
441 - 1,050 $4.14 $4.92 4,001 - 10,000 $4.14 $4.92
1,051 or more $4.20 $4.99 10,001 or more $4.20 $4.99
Footnotes
Si requiere asistencia en español con referencia a esta notificación, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.
This information reflects only changes to rates. For a comprehensive listing, please see the
Otay Water District’s Code of Ordinances at www.otaywater.gov.
Recycled Water Usage Commercial 1 (<10" meter) System Fees2
Consumption Blocks (units)1 Meter Size
0 - 173 $2.97 $3.53 3/4” $18.91 $15.91
174 - 831 $3.03 $3.60 1” $26.71 $22.47
832 or more $3.07 $3.65 1 1/2” $46.22 $38.88
2” $69.61 $58.55
Recycled Water Usage Commercial 1 (>10"meter) 3” $132.02 $111.04
4” $202.24 $170.10 Consumption Blocks (units)1
0 - 7,426 $2.97 $3.53 6” $397.31 $334.18
7,427 - 14,616 $3.03 $3.60 8” $631.37 $531.05
14,617 or more $3.07 $3.65 10” $904.44 $760.72
Energy Charges3 Government Fee4
$0.072 $0.044 $0.37 $0.41