HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 Rate Increase Notice - Residential Water Service
NOTICE OF INCREASED WATER RATES AND CHARGES
FOR WATER BILLED BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2019
An overall average rate increase of 3.2 percent was approved by the Otay Water District (the “District”) as part of the
annual budget adoption process completed in May 2018. For a typical single-family residential customer using 13 units
of water per month, your water bill will increase by $2.29 per month beginning January 1, 2019. Depending on your
billing cycle, the new rates and charges will apply to water used as early as the beginning of December 2018. This
letter serves as a 30-day notice of rate increases.
On October 4, 2017, the District’s Board of Directors 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.
The District is a revenue-neutral public agency. To continue providing reliable high-quality service, the District must
implement rate increases and pass-through to its customers the higher costs from wholesale water suppliers. A large
percentage of the overall increase is a direct result of higher costs from suppliers which include the Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California (MWD), San Diego County Water Authority (CWA), and the City of San Diego.
Rate increases are necessary to cover the increasing cost of purchasing water from the District’s water suppliers. The
District’s wholesaler supplier, CWA, has raised its rates primarily due to increasing rates from its supplier, MWD, and higher
costs of a drought-proof water supply. These increased costs are largely due to the increased cost of importing water from
Northern California and the Colorado River, and costs for the production of water from the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.
For its part, the District works to minimize rate impacts of its internal costs and implements efficiency measures to 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, visit otaywater.gov or email
the District 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 and rebate pages at 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 thegarden.org.
Si requiere asistencia en español con referencia a esta notificación, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.
Otay Water District
2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978-2004
619-670-2222
otaywater.gov
Notice of Residential Water
Rate Increase
Dedicated to Community Service
PROJECTED WATER BILLS BY AGENCY AS OF JANUARY 2019
* At the time of the survey, the
agency’s FY 2019 rate was not
available. The estimated increase
is equal to the average of all
confirmed FY 2019 rate increases.
(13 unit water use and 3/4” meter)
The table below is an example of the projected increase in a monthly water bill for 13 HCF or units. Your bill will
vary based on your meter size, your water consumption in units, and your geographic location.
Si requiere asistencia en español con referencia a esta notificación, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.
Typical Bill at 13 HCF (or Units) of Water per Month
Water Rates
Other Charges
Footnotes
1. The Fixed Charges, based on meter size and customer class, ensure that customers pay their proportionate share
of the water system replacement, maintenance, and operating expenses. The MWD & CWA Charges are based on
meter size and match, in total, the cost charged by wholesale water suppliers.
2. This cost varies based on water usage and can be calculated using the consumption block tables. One unit of
consumption equals 748 gallons of water or one HCF (hundred cubic feet).
3. The Energy Charge represent the cost of the energy required to pump or lift each unit of water 100 feet in elevation.
This is charged proportionately for every 100 feet of elevation over 450 feet. The increase is due to increased power
costs charged by the District’s power supplier.
4. Charges collected through the property tax roll (availability fees and general obligation debt) are not included in this
total.
5. Fire Service requires a separate meter and this charge is based on meter size.
This information reflects only changes to rates. For a comprehensive listing, please see the
Otay Water District’s Code of Ordinances at otaywater.gov.
Consumption Blocks
(in units)Current New
1 - 10 $3.05 $3.17
11 - 22 $5.44 $5.65
23 or more $7.03 $7.30
Domestic Residential Water Rates (per unit)2
Meter Size System Charges MWD/CWA Total System Charges MWD/CWA Total
3/4" $17.38 $15.45 $32.83 $18.05 $15.10 $33.15
1" $24.56 $28.68 $53.24 $25.51 $28.04 $53.55
1 1/2" $42.49 $64.85 $107.34 $44.13 $63.40 $107.53
Current New
Fixed Charges1
Current New
Energy Charges3 $0.053 $0.056
Fire Service ≤ 3" meter5 $20.77 $21.57
Fire Service ≥ 4" meter5 $27.98 $29.06
MWD/CWA1 System Charges1 Water Rate2 Energy Charges3 Total4
Current $15.45 $17.38 $46.82 $2.31 $81.96
New $15.10 $18.05 $48.65 $2.45 $84.25
$2.29Increase in monthly water bill (at 13 units or HCF)
Fixed Charges