SANTA PAULA : 37.8% Water Rate Hike Goes Into Effect

Santa Paula residents will soon see a 37.8% increase in their water bills due to a rate increase approved by the state Public Utilities Commission.

The increase was granted to Santa Paula Water Works Ltd., the privately owned company that supplies city residents with water. It went into effect Friday, according to Frank Brommenschenkel, vice president and general manager of the company.

The increase will amount to about $4 for the average single-family household that uses about 374 gallons per day, or 1,500 cubic feet of water a month. Bills would rise from an average of $18.50 to $22.50, he said. Since meters are read daily, Brommenschenkel said, the increase will be prorated during the first month and its full effect won’t be felt for another month.

He said the 37.8% increase may sound large, but added that the company has not increased rates in four years. Originally, it had requested a 50% increase.

“Our rates are still behind adjoining cities,” Brommenschenkel said.

He said the PUC held hearings on the proposed increase in Santa Paula in August. “There were very few people at the hearing,” he said.

The PUC, which approved the increase April 8, isn’t expected to rule on another rate increase requested by the company for 40 days. The company is seeking an 8.79% increase to cover losses it suffered when customers cut back use to conserve water.

Brommenschenkel said that increase, if approved, would add another $2.25 to the average bill. He said it covers losses over three years and would be imposed for one year. The fixed operating costs do not decrease with declining consumption, he said.

“We still read the same number of meters,” he said. “We have the same number of employees whether we deliver 10,000 acre-feet or 12,000 acre-feet.”