Oak Park CA WATER HIKES- AGAIN!!

Oak Park CA residents recieved a notice last week of a public hearing on Monday, December 14,2009 on proposed water rate increase deffective January 1, 2010. Our cost of water will go up approxmately another 22 percent. That is on top of the 27 percent increased imposed in September. Additionally, there is now a tiered billing system, so those that use more, get charged more.

Water officials are defending the rate hikes and say they will help finance the new $8 million Oak Park water tank that will begin work in the spring, build Oak Park Water's reserves, and pay for conservation impacts.

But in the notice to customers, it states that the "the proposed increased rates are a pass thourgh of water supply costs and reflect the District's cost of providing water service". I am not sure if this is really just a pass through, or is it including the cost of the new water tank, and other costs. Or maybe in six months there will be another increase to cover the cost of the water tank? Or maybe another bond measure?

There is a new rate increase, because the board decided to do the rate hike in 2 parts. That is because Calleguas did our (Oak Park Water's) rate increase in 2 parts, and we wanted to raise Oak Park's rates along with them, but not sooner, so that we could save rate payers a little money for water use from September through December.

The Triunfo board could just have done one rate hike for September use on through, but it would have equalled what the rate will be starting in January, and so been higher than we are currently paying.

So, that is why it is in 2 parts. To give us all a break for 3 months, but we still have to cover the cost of Calleguas' 2nd raise in rates to Oak Park Water, starting in January.

As we now know, it is not just the drought that is causing the reduction in water we receive from Northern California. It is also measures decided in court to protect the fragile Sacramento Delta, and limit pumping at times in the spring, when, traditionally, water districts have filled up their reservoirs in SoCal.

In the meantime, Oak Park residents and businesses must reduce thier water use by 15 percent between now and June 30,2010, or the district will face as much as a $1 million fine. And guess who will end up paying that?

On a personal note, I know that our family has done just about what we can to reduce our water usage. We put in low flow shower heads years ago, and implemented other measures as well. We could put in artificial grass, at least in the backyard. But that will still need to be hosed down frequently becuase of the dog. If the young men (i.e. my sons) took shorter showers that would help. Good luck with that one. And I can always shower in the gym!

Bottom line, water conservation must be implemented and continued not just for now, but as a way of life here in SoCal.

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