Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Sewer Rates: Money Down the Drain?

While the city can tell how much water goes into any home, a dispute revolves around how much leaves by way of the sewer system.

Last week, Councilwoman Laura Chick introduced a measure that would change the way sewer service charges are calculated. Instead of basing the rate on a percentage of how much water flows into the home throughout the year, as it is now, Chick’s plan would set the rate according to water use during the rainy winter months.

The idea is that while water use may increase in the summer--especially for homes with large lots and swimming pools--most of that water never gets to the sewer but instead evaporates or soaks into the ground.

While supporters say the plan would offer a fairer system of assessing sewer charges according to use, others say it would force lower-income families to pay more. The City Council will continue its consideration of the issue Wednesday.

Should sewer service charges be based on winter water use?

Councilwoman Laura Chick:

“It is enormously more fair than the way it is now. . . . Today, sewer charges are based on 60% of all the water that is used now. I am maintaining that there are many houses not only in the Valley, but all over the city, that are using more than 40% of their water (for outside use). . . . I define fair as charging a house for their true usage. . . . Some of my colleagues are talking about basing it on ability to pay. I can show them that the way it is now, there are many who do not have the ability to pay.”

Councilman Joel Wachs:

“It more accurately reflects the costs the customer puts on the system. I have to caution, however, that as good as it is, it only addresses how the charges are calculated. The bigger issue the council has to come to grips with--and refuses to come to grips with--is that the sewer system itself is grossly wasteful. . . . It is one thing to take what they are collecting and spread the costs among the customers. It’s another thing to continue the waste in the system. That’s an $838-million system that has lacked any independent fiscal oversight with a lot of overstaffing.”

Gordon Murley, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization:

“Absolutely. Because they’re not based on what goes in the sewer. They’re based on a formula that ensures that the cost will be extremely high. . . . DWP has never been responsible or accountable. They romance the facts to suit them. They may not actually lie, but don’t tell the truth. . . . It’s about as dishonest a procedure as government has ever come up with, and there have been some doozies.”

Sharon Morris, Board of Public Works commissioner:

“The thinking really is that we would like to find a fair system. . . . Our current method of calculating is based on an average. . . . What the council has to be concerned about with this policy is that for the large Valley property owners there will be a decrease, while for the people on smaller lots there will be an increase. That’s a real and legitimate concern, and so far we have not found another calculation that would be equitable.”