MWD Charges

I’m a resident in North San Diego County who has been victimized by the Metropolitan Water District’s increase of water rates by 52% in the past three years. We’ve begun to cut down our fruit trees; in July we will pay over $550 an acre-foot for water from Rainbow Water District. Combined with low citrus prices, growers in Southern California are rapidly dying. In the next decade, the fruit you eat will come from Texas, Florida and foreign countries.

MWD has adopted a resolution to raise an additional $50 million annually by increasing the unit standby charge. This money is above what is currently received from voter-approved bond indebtedness. The unit standby charge was first instituted by MWD in the current tax year of 1992-93. They were allowed to do so by the state water code. This provision does not require voter approval.

MWD has become too big and too independent to set water rates as selectively as it does. MWD’s budget is bloated by public relation efforts, lobbying concerns and the ability to raise funds without government regulation.

Growers and residential users have a difficult time understanding water rate increases at this time because our lakes and reservoirs are filled through our conservation efforts and heavy rain and snow.

With increased water rates, Southern Californians will lose jobs and the environment will suffer as growers will continue to cut down trees that perform a vital life function by breathing in carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. The survival of all is at stake.

JOE RUIZ

Bonsall