HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 (March) Rate Increase Notice - Landscape Agricultural and Construction Water ServiceOtay Water District
2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978-2004
619-670-2222
www.otaywater.gov
Notice of Landscape, Agricultural,
and Construction Water
Rate Increase
NOTICE OF INCREASED WATER RATES AND CHARGES EFFECTIVE
FOR WATER BILLED IN MARCH 2016
Dear Customer,
The City of San Diego recently increased the rate they charge for recycled water 116
percent effective January 1, 2016. The City of San Diego is a supplier of recycled water to the
Otay Water District (the “District”). District officials, as well as many South Bay and East County
leaders, vigorously fought this rate increase. As a revenue-neutral public agency, the District is
now increasing its rates and passing through to its customers the higher costs imposed by the
City of San Diego.
An overall average rate increase of 4.1 percent will be passed through to customers
beginning March 1, 2016. Depending on your billing cycle, the new rates and charges will apply
to water used as early as February 1, 2016. More than two-thirds of this rate increase is due to
the City of San Diego’s action. The remaining third is due to reduced water sales as a result of
the drought and the high level of conservation in response to the Governor’s call to reduce water
use by 20 percent. This letter serves as a 30-day notice of rate increases.
Because recycled water diversifies local water supplies and provides an alternative to using
potable water, particularly in times of drought, everyone benefits from the use of recycled water
including potable water customers. As a result, potable and recycled water rates are calculated
in a combined manner and potable water rates are impacted by higher recycled water rates from
suppliers.
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.
While the District continues to cut costs and optimize effectiveness to minimize passing
through higher rates to customers, including reducing the number of fulltime employees 21
percent, company vehicles and equipment 17 percent, and cutting fuel consumption 36 percent,
as well as instituting automation and technology measures that since 2007 have resulted in
nearly $24 million in savings, these actions alone cannot mitigate the 116 percent rate increase
imposed by the City of San Diego.
Customers interested in reducing their water use to minimize the impact of this rate increase
can visit the District’s Conservation pages at www.otaywater.gov. The District provides
information on rebates, incentives, water audits, plus other resources to help you save water. In
addition, the Water Conservation Garden located in Rancho San Diego is free to the public and
has water conservation exhibits, resources and classes to help you save water. Please visit the
Water Conservation Garden, or visit www.thegarden.org.
Customers wanting more information about the City of San Diego’s recycled water rate
increase can visit www.fairwatersd.com.
Dedicated to Community Service
Si gusta assistencia en Español, referente a esta notificacion, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.
1. This rate is a per unit charge. Customers outside the Otay Water District, an
Improvement District, or using temporary meters pay two times this rate. One
unit of consumption equals 748 gallons of water.
Consumption Blocks by Unit and System Fees by Meter Size
Footnotes
Water Usage Fee1 - Landscape, Agricultural, and Construction Water
(3/4" to 1" meter)
Consumption Blocks (units)1 Current New
0 - 54 $4.45 $4.78
55 - 199 $4.50 $4.83
200 or more $4.56 $4.89
Water Usage Fee1 - Landscape, Agricultural, and Construction Water
(1 1/2" to 2" meter)
Consumption Blocks (units)1 Current New
0 - 144 $4.45 $4.78
145 - 355 $4.50 $4.83
356 or more $4.56 $4.89
Water Usage Fee1 - Landscape, Agricultural, and Construction Water
(3"+ meter)
Consumption Blocks (units)1 Current New
0 - 550 $4.45 $4.78
551 - 1,200 $4.50 $4.83
1,201 or more $4.56 $4.89
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. Prolonged drought
conditions or declared water shortages may impact rates.
Si gusta assistencia en Español, referente a esta notificacion, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.