DWP Favors Abandoning Higher Summer Rates

Following the recommendation of a panel appointed by Mayor Richard Riordan, the Department of Water and Power board voted Tuesday in favor of a proposal to abandon higher summer utility rates--which set off howls of protests from San Fernando Valley homeowners whose water bills skyrocketed under the plan implemented last summer.

The measure must still be approved by the City Council and the mayor.

Under the temporary fix, customers who were affected by the summer rate surcharge can expect to see a reduction of 20% in their water bills this summer, compared to last year, a DWP spokesman said.

Currently, under winter prices, customers pay a base rate of $2.33 for 748 gallons of water. Under the summer rates, which applied to those using more than 20,944 gallons a month, the price rose to $2.98.

The two-tier pricing system was inaugurated at the suggestion of a previous study panel, which intended it to reduce home water use during the years of drought.

The result was two-month DWP bills last summer of $700 to $1,000 and more for many homeowners, especially in the Valley, which is hotter than the rest of the city during the summer. Valley homeowners said they were being unfairly penalized for having large lots and expensive landscaping.

Following widespread protests, Riordan appointed a committee to look into the rate system.