Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
June 4, 2008
5. Agencies, Programs, People –
Water rates to rise $9 a month: Protesters fail to convince all but one board member to delay increase
The Desert Sun- 6/4/08
DWP to weigh Los Angeles fines, water use rules today
The Daily Breeze- 6/03/08
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Water rates to rise $9 a month: Protesters fail to convince all but one board member to delay increase
The Desert Sun- 6/4/08
By Willian
Desert Water Agency customers will see a rate increase of about $9 per month on their bills by August, if not sooner.
The agency's board of directors approved the rate hike Tuesday, but not without opposition from critics of the adjustment.
About 42 concerned residents attended the agency's monthly meeting, where many of them voiced their opinions about the increase during a public hearing.
Critics of the adjustment urged the board to postpone the hearing or withdraw the measure entirely, saying the agency ineffectively contacted or informed many customers about the domestic water use resolution.
The board sternly defended its position, saying that it fulfilled every requirement set by
"I believe that a rate increase is necessary to cover the increased expenditures that the agency is facing," he said.
But instead of an overall increase, a tiered rate system should be put in place to reward customers with lower rates if they conserve water, he said.
"I think the board and the agency (have) justified a need for an increase,"
Agency officials stressed that operating costs are exceeding revenues.
"Since 2005, we've been operating at a deficit while the cost of fuel, personnel, steel - the same expenses - have gone up tremendously," board president Tom Kieley said.
"We haven't made a price increase in two years," he said. "The fiscally responsible thing to do is to make certain that we run this agency like any good business."
The agency provides water to customers in
With its increase, water rates still remain among the lowest when compared to other large water providers in
Fewer than 5 percent of 54,000 to 55,000 ballots that were mailed to bill payers to cast a vote in opposition were returned, agency officials said.
Critics of the adjustment said it would create a hardship for customers, considering the economic downturn, and that it's untimely and unnecessary.
Others, however, commended the agency for its service and current rates, and expressed support of the measure.
"Rates are going to go up," said Joe Stuart, 58, of
Stuart said he took the time to review the agency's financial documents to come to his opinion.
"The question is, how long can you keep the rates as low as possible for as long as possible?" he said. "In a business sense, you'll have to raise your rates."#
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080604/NEWS01/806040315/1006/news01
DWP to weigh Los Angeles fines, water use rules today
The Daily Breeze- 6/03/08
By Kerry Cavanaugh and Beth Barrett, Staff Writers
June Melody was already hot and irritated from keeping the air conditioning off in her home to combat a soaring power bill.
So the
That's because the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is considering strict new water conservation rules governing everything from lawn watering to car washing.
Break the rules and Angelenos could face fines up to $300 for repeat offenders.
"Do you really want me to get started, all the prices on my water and power, all the prices on my gas, I'm tired of paying for it.
And they're going to bother me about my water?" Melody said. "They ought to straighten up their act first. It's really disgusting."
The Board of Water and Power commissioners began considering the new rules Tuesday but the volunteer commissioners had too many questions about how the fines would be implemented and postponed a decision to a special meeting at 3:30 p.m. today.
"I personally would like to be well aware of what kind of fine I may get if I'm watering my lawn on the wrong day or happen to use the water hose improperly," Commissioner Forescee Hogan-Rowles said.
But Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and DWP General Manager H. David Nahai said water is again in short supply, and it's time to crack down on water wasters.
"We don't believe that any of this is onerous," Nahai said. "Its thrust is to prohibit wasteful uses of water and many of the uses that it prohibits are in fact abuses - and they really fall into the realm of common sense."
The ordinance would expand limits on water use. Angelenos would no longer be allowed to water their lawns from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and residents would be prohibited from watering more than 15 minutes.
And, if drought conditions worsened, the DWP could ramp up restrictions, including limiting lawn watering from one to three days a week.
But it bothers Melody, who wonders what will happen if she breaches the regulations in isolated cases but follows broader conservation practices?
"I've worked all my life and I can't water my front lawn two and three times a week? Give me a break," she said.
"The American people should have enough common sense to modify it and to watch what they're doing."
But Nahai said requiring conservation without penalties would create a toothless rule. The proposed ordinance would double the fines for wasting water from $50 for the second offense to $100, up to $300 for residential customers.
Fines would be doubled for commercial customers, beginning at $200 for the second offense and increasing to $600.
"This is not a situation in which the department wants to receive a penny in fines. The idea here is to change behavior, not raise revenue," Nahai said.
To enforce the stiffer rules and penalties, the DWP will expand its "Drought Busters" team to 20 employees. These inspectors respond to called-in complaints and cruise the city in search of water wasters.
Since the Drought Busters were brought back in October, they have responded to 1,200 reports of water waste. So far they have issued warnings and guidance on conservation.
But some residents question whether inspections and fines are necessary - especially when the DWP inspectors make around $65,000 a year.
Homeowner Mel Flohr said the cost of the inspectors, plus gas at more than $4 a gallon, could make the program too expensive.
"I think they'll make a big fuss, but nothing will happen," Flohr said.
Flohr was testing the sprinklers at his
The new ordinance would also require restaurants to serve water only to guests who request it, and hotels and motels to give guests the option of choosing not to have their towels and sheets laundered daily.
California Hotels & Lodging Association President Jim Abrams said it's a good idea. If a guest chooses to reuse a towel, that saves water and cuts costs on labor, detergent and wastewater.
But he also has questions about enforcement and fines.
"We don't want to see penalties if some room cleaner forgets to do it one day," Abrams said.
Several City Council members said Tuesday that they could support the tougher rules but aren't ready to commit to higher fines.
"Mandatory water conservation is a good thing. It's something we should have done a while ago," said Councilwoman Jan Perry, who heads the council's environment committee.
"Fines may be the issue that causes controversy. We need to let people come in and give their opinions on that."
Most of the water conservation measures proposed are simple and require modest lifestyle changes, said council President Eric Garcetti.
"I think we can do this in a way that encourages people to do the right thing," Garcetti said. "And in a way that gives them time before fines kick in."
DWP'S PROPOSED RULES
The new water conservation rules would:
Ban hosing down sidewalks, driveways and other paved surfaces.
Prohibit watering lawns during the day, and make it illegal to over-irrigate and let water run into the street.
Bar restaurants from serving water unless requested by the customer.
Ban washing cars unless the hose has a nozzle or other shut-off device.
Limit irrigation to no more than 15 minutes a day.
Prohibit any fountain, pond or water feature that does not recirculate water.
Require hotels to give guests the option of not having towels and linens washed daily.
Fines for residential customers:
1st offense: Warning.
2nd offense: $100.
3rd offense: $200.
4th offense: $300.
5th offense: DWP may install a device that restricts the flow of water.
If city leaders declare a water emergency, Angelenos would be prohibited from:
Irrigating on most days of the week.
Washing their cars.
Filling their pools.
HOW TO HELP
ladwp.com.#
http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9472047
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