Higher water rates on the way
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

After two years of studies, workshops, consultants' advice and an extensive public outreach campaign, the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District will raise water and sewer rates starting Nov. 1.

On Monday, the district completed its final effort to educate the public about why- and how high- water and sanitation rates will rise.

Potable water and sewage fees are expected to double over a five-year period beginning in November. The increase will depend on how much water is used at residential, commercial and industrial properties.

Water officials have provided numerous examples to illustrate the rate hike plan. Customers who currently spend $57 every two months for sewer services can expect to receive bills of $87 during the first year of the phased increase. By year five, the same family will be paying $119 for the two-month period.

The Tapia Water Reclamation Facility, which recycles wastewater for use on public and commercial landscaping, will be upgraded to remove more nitrogen from the water. The plant improvements will reduce stream and ocean pollution, at a cost of $10 million.

Apparently the news they'll be paying twice as much didn't bother many of the district's customers- only a few people showed up at the public hearing, and no one delivered public testimony either for or against the increase.

Sandra Schmidt, director of finance and administration, presented a slide show recapping the district's efforts, examining how to meet the rising costs of water delivery and explaining that the district has to contend with stringent new laws on water treatment and environmental protection.

The district's informational efforts have been comprehensive, according to Jeff Reinhardt, manager of customer service and public affairs.

In addition to a variety of public workshops, tours and speakers' bureau visits to homeowner associations, City Council and school board meetings, the district distributed newsletters and direct mailings to customers and even established a hotline.

Water officials spread the news about fee hikes at 75 events since last October, Reinhardt said. Representatives attended Chamber functions and meetings of service clubs, homeowner associations and the Board of Supervisors to ensure public awareness.

"Some of those costs are just absolutely beyond our control," Director Charles Caspary said.

Director Joseph Bowman told the staff no stone has been left unturned in studying the issue and communicating with the public.

After mailing out 30,000 letters explaining details of the new pricing structure, Reinhardt said the district received only nine calls from residents.

"I may not like it, but at least I understand it," Reinhardt said of customers' apparent acceptance of higher fees.