Campaign underway to promote rate hike
Water district wants public on its side
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

FEE STRUCTURE- Carolyn Mallory of Agoura Hills discusses a proposed water rate hike with John Mundy, general manager of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. Under the plan, water and sewer rates would double over the next five years.

An open house held two weeks ago by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District helped residents understand why water and sewer rates are on the rise.

About 40 people attended the Aug. 23 event at district headquarters in Calabasas.

District officials had earlier announced that potable water and sewage rates will double over a five-year period starting Nov. 1.

"The concept is to get the customer to understand we're looking out for their future as it relates to the next five to 20 years in the water and sewer services they receive," LVMWD General Manager John Mundy said.

As an example, Mundy said customers who currently spend $57 every two months for sewer services can expect to pay $87 during the first year of the phased increase. By year five, the family will pay $119 for the same period.

Some of the guests toured the Tapia Water Reclamation Facility, a plant that transforms wastewater into recycled water for use on public and commercial landscaping. The Tapia plant needs improvements in order to remove more nitrogen from the water. Upgrading the facility to reduce pollution in the streams and beaches is expected to cost $10 million.

Rather than issue a bond to pay for the work, Mundy said the cost will be covered by existing district funds and the new higher rates. Thirty years of debt service on a bond for a facility with a 10year life would not be a wise choice of funding, Mundy said.

New storm water regulations demand that cities and other public agencies reduce harmful urban runoff, he said.

Fertilizer, livestock waste, trash and other compounds are routinely washed into sewers and end up polluting Malibu Creek and the ocean. Mundy said catch basins, treatment plants and wetland projects will help reduce the pollution.

"It took 100 years to get to this (polluted) point," Mundy said. "We will probably spend the next 50 years dealing with water quality" issues.

The target date to complete the Tapia overhaul is 2010, Mundy said. But by 2011, the water district will face another permit hearing and may be required to meet costly new regulations.

Mundy said the district expects to increase its efforts to conserve water. If the current drought continues, he said, Southern California stands to lose some of the water supply it draws from the north, and the water district will once again be forced to change its operations to meet the challenge.

"Water is becoming a very precious commodity in this state, especially because we're going to grow to a 50 million to 60 million population," Mundy said.

Charts, graphs and posters at the open house illustrated the district's budget tightening measures. One chart showed how the district is able to provide additional service with 60 fewer employees. Mundy said computerization has increased efficiency.

During the next 10 years the water district's meter reading will become computerized.

Carolyn Mallory, an Old Agoura resident and past member of the district's water conservation community, said she was impressed by the information available at the open house.

"I think the district has provided excellent service and has been in the forefront of research on water quality, treatment of wastewater, and recycling of wastewater treatment products," Mallory said. "I can understand the need to raise the rates because the situation is different now."

Financial information and bill comparisons have been mailed to customers, said Jeff Reinhardt, manager of customer service and public affairs.

At the open house, a simple diorama made the new Urban Water Runoff Project understandable to visitors. Dolls placed in a fish tank filled with water to represent a 5-foot depth provided a graphic display of how much water is used over a year to keep a lawn alive.

Education has been an integral part of the water district's approach to conservation. The district helps fund a local third and fourth grade science team, "Mad Science," and offers several outdoor education programs in the Las Virgenes Unified School District. Poster contests on conservation are held each year at elementary schools, and the district hosts tours, water-wise gardening workshops and other events.

David Lippman, the district's director of facilities and operations, showed people at the open house how the district maintains water lines and pipe systems. Much of the maintenance has become automated, which allows personnel to monitor the movement of water from a laptop.

"It's cost effective not having to staff (the district) 24 hours a day," Lippman said.

Agoura Hills resident Dick Crowley said he enjoyed the open house and tours. "I'm just amazed," he said. "I drove Malibu Canyon (Road) for 21 years, passed the Tapia plant twice a day, and didn't know it was there. It's huge."

A public hearing on the rate proposal is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mon., Sept. 10 at district headquarters, 4232 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas.