Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Water Rate System Called Harsh, Unfair

In order to enforce water conservation, the City Council in December adopted a two-tier water rate system based on the recommendations of a “blue ribbon” committee appointed by Mayor Tom Bradley. Under the new system, residential customers who use more than twice the Department of Water & Power’s median amount of water are billed $2.98 per cubic foot--more than 70% higher than the standard rate of $1.73 per cubic foot. Critics argue that the rates affect San Fernando Valley customers disproportionately, since the region is characterized by hotter temperatures and larger lawns.

Should the Department of Water & Power reconsider its two-tier rate system?

Joel Wachs, city councilman who opposed the rate restructuring when it was proposed last year:

“Absolutely. I think that it has to be reconsidered now. It’s having a very, very harsh effect on people in the Valley. The way it was set up discriminates against people in hotter areas and people who have large properties who are conserving. . .I think there are ways to give incentives to people without penalizing them.”

Norman Buehring, assistant chief engineer for the DWP:

“The basic objectives that were intended by the rate restructuring have been accomplished. There was a strong effort to encourage conservation. We now find that the people of L.A. are maintaining their conservation efforts. One of the reasons has to be the rate restructuring. It was estimated that 20% of our customers would get a rate increase. It’s actually worked out to a little less than that.”

Robert J. Gross, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization:

“The rates that are in place are outrageous. They ought to be based on the type and size of the property and the size of the household. When it’s 80 degrees in Los Angeles, it’s 95 out here. . . There has to be a restructuring and an investigation into department expenses.”

Barry Borin, vice president of Inglewood-based Water Watch, which manufactures water conservation products:

“In my opinion, the new rates have hurt business. People in California really don’t care about conserving. They’re so fed up over cutting back and getting their rates increased. Our business has picked up in other parts of the country, but in California people don’t want to hear about it.”

Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn.:

“We need a rate system, but not the system that’s currently in place. It’s not fair. It needs to be restudied. I’m not one of the major victims of the rates, but I’ve heard the horror stories. A tiered system may be the answer, but I think we need to study all the options available.”

Robert M. Bridges, Northridge homeowner whose DWP bill for May and June totaled more than $750:

“We don’t use that much water down the sewer. We use it for agricultural purposes. I don’t think we’re being treated fairly. They assume if you’re using a lot of water, it’s going down the sewer and then has to be handled and treated.”

Gerald A. Silver, president of Homeowners of Encino:

“I was unhappy with the two-tier system when it was proposed. It sets the same water consumption amount on each house on every lot regardless of the size of the house or the size of the family.”

Greig Smith, chief deputy to City Councilman Hal Bernson:

“Absolutely. We fought it when it was implemented and we just introduced a motion about three weeks ago to reconvene the blue ribbon committee to review this again.”