COUNTYWIDE : Revised Water Rates Target Heavy Users
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors restructured rates in the county’s three water districts Tuesday to penalize heavy water users with higher rates.
The changes affect Waterworks District 1, which includes the Moorpark area and 7,500 customers; District 17, which covers Bell Canyon and has about 600 customers; and District 19, which covers Somis and has about 700 customers.
The restructuring involves a switch from a single rate per 100 cubic feet of water to a three-tier system that calls for a higher rate as more water is used. The change applies to domestic users but not to agricultural users.
Depending on their water use, customers could see a 10% to 20% rate increase on water used in excess of the district average. Users who cut back to 90% of the district average will see no billing increase, said Art Goulet, county director of public works.
In District 19, the supervisors approved a 3% to 7% water rate increase for both domestic and agricultural users, in addition to converting to a tier system.
Goulet said the adjustments were not made because of a water shortage. Instead, they are designed to encourage conservation because of the drought.
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