A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
March 18, 2009
2. Supply –
Changes probably won't raise rates for low-income users, but residents who don't cut usage by 15% would pay more than normal. The city still expects a water shortage this summer.
By Bettina Boxall
Warning that the city faces a water shortage this summer,
Many low-income water users should not see a rise in rates, while some homeowners with large lots who don't conserve can expect a jump of $11 a month, according to the Department of Water and Power, which unanimously adopted the pricing structure. The rates would go into effect June 1 unless the City Council blocks the move.
The DWP's commission approved the measure despite wet weather in February and early March that improved statewide water conditions.
"We have to be prudent; we have to be conservative," department General Manager H. David Nahai said after the vote.
Snowpack and reservoir levels "haven't improved nearly enough for any of us to feel complacent about the water picture we face," Nahai said.
Customers will have to use less water to stay within a base rate. If they already are well within that range -- as many low-income customers are -- their bills should not rise, officials said.
Charges in a second tier above that base level will jump 44% under the plan. Higher overall summer rates will remain in effect year-round.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proposed the penalty rates a month ago, along with outdoor watering restrictions that would limit sprinkler use to two days a week. The outdoor curbs, which have to be adopted by the City Council, could take effect next month.
Water officials said the rate plans were spurred in part by environmentally driven cutbacks in water delivered through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
"This is not just a weather-driven drought. It's also a regulatory drought," Nahai said. "It really doesn't matter how much snow there is above the delta, what matters is that water pumped to
Citywide water use has dropped 5% since officials stepped up conservation calls 18 months ago because of a statewide drought now in its third year. But department officials said that is not enough to counter the 12% shortage in city supplies they expect.
Precipitation in the
The state, which had predicted that it would be able to deliver only 15% of full allocations, is upping that to 20%, according to city officials.
But that is not enough of an increase to head off more stringent conservation.
"Water supply conditions are still dismal," James McDaniel, senior assistant general manager, told commissioners.#
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-water18-2009mar18,0,1076068.story?track=rss
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DWR’s California Water News is distributed to California Department of Water Resources management and staff, for information purposes, by the DWR Public Affairs Office. For reader’s services, including new subscriptions, temporary cancellations and address changes, please use the online page: http://listhost2.water.ca.gov/mailman/listinfo/water_news . DWR operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs. Inclusion of materials is not to be construed as an endorsement of any programs, projects, or viewpoints by the Department or the State of
No comments:
Post a Comment