City Urged to Take Water District Reins
Members of the Coalition for Clean Water-Costa Mesa asked the City Council this week to take immediate steps to take over the Mesa Consolidated Water District.
The group said consistent cost overruns on district projects and mounting debt have contributed to higher water rates for Mesa Consolidated customers.
Bert Ohlig, a member of the Coalition for Clean Water board, said he believed the public would be better served by the city because it is more closely scrutinized than the water district.
Ohlig cited the final tab for the agency’s new headquarters, which was nearly $4 million over budget, he said. In addition, he said, the reservoir that went into service on Costa Mesa’s east side last summer, originally expected to cost $6.58 million, has cost more than $25 million.
The council will discuss the subject again and listen to public comments Tuesday.
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