Increasing Water Rates
I take issue with your Jan. 12 editorial in which you took a position in support of increasing the Department of Water and Power’s (DWP) water rates. I voted against the rate increase again because I still believe a rate increase of any amount is unnecessary and punitive to water users who have been so diligent in adhering to the city’s water conservation program.
DWP has lost credibility over this issue. Nearly six months ago, the department insisted it had to have an 11% increase in rates to maintain a sound water delivery system and to avoid laying off employees. After being met with ferocious opposition, DWP lowered its “absolutely necessary” increase to 9%. The public fought against it, so DWP dropped its increase to 6%, and ultimately settled for 3.6%. Opposition to this level of increase still exists, and justifiably so. If the department could live with a 3.6% increase today, then it could have lived with 3.6% six months ago.
The Times suggests that the DWP needs the increase to repair its old water delivery system. Well, DWP, by its own admission, has set aside $46 million for delivery system maintenance for fiscal 1992-93. I asked the DWP general manager how much money they actually planned to spend for the 1991-92 fiscal year on maintenance. He answered: “I do not know what’s in the budget. We just spend the money as the need arises.”
Regardless of what it would have the public believe, the DWP is making money. The increase should not have been granted.
NATE HOLDEN
Los Angeles Councilman
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