IRVINE : Water District OKs Penalties, Awards

Water wasters will see their bills increase next month and water misers will get a discount under a new billing system for customers of the Irvine Ranch Water District.

Under the new rate structure adopted Monday night by the water district’s board of directors, customers using more than 80% of an amount considered average for them will pay higher rates above the 80% amount. The extra charges are meant to encourage 20% reductions because of the drought.

Customers saving water will see a slight decrease in their rates. The new rates take effect with the June billing.

Each type of customer, ranging from apartment dwellers to golf courses, will be given an average base “target” of how much water should be used. The targets are based on an “average” use for each type of customer.

“As the (drought) situation changes, we have the ability to change the targets,” Ronald E. Young, water district general manager, said.

Customers who believe that their target amounts are unfair because, for example, they have more people than average living at a residence, can file an appeal with the water district.

As residential customers exceed 80% of their monthly target amount, the water rate doubles from the current 53 cents per 748 gallons to $1.06. The rate doubles again for amounts above 150% of the target and doubles again, to $4.24 per 748 gallons, for amounts over 200% of the target.

Commercial customers will pay even more for not conserving, hitting the $4.24 per 748 gallons “abusive” penalty for exceeding 120% of the target.

The new rate structure was criticized by Larry R. Givens, an assistant vice chancellor at UC Irvine who is in charge of managing campus buildings and facilities. He contended that the district should first begin a conservation effort among non-residential customers before levying penalties.

“Just automatically to assume that everybody is wasting 20% of their water . . . might be a little harsh, might be a little quick,” he said.