LUCERNE — Whether or not Lucerne”s water rates will increase is in the hands of its ratepayers, for the most part. This is the message that the Lucerne Community Water Organization (LCWO) wants to get across to those who will be affected by the proposed increase.
Administrative Law Judge James McVicar recommended a 121-percent water rate increase for average users in Lucerne in response to the request or a 246-percent increase from California Water Service Co., as explained in a Record-Bee article on July 26.
Because of a Rate Support Fund (RSF) credit agreed upon, the increase for average water users in Lucerne would be 65 percent.
LCWO has been involved locally in getting Lucerne ratepayers involved in this process. Their goal is to educate people about what to expect if the 65-percent water rate increase goes into effect, according to voluntary Vice President Sophie Jensen.
“We had a disappointingly low turnout,” Jensen said of Wednesday”s LCWO meeting. “When the CPUC issues its decision on the rate increase on Aug. 24, people who have not been paying attention will be in shock.”
The new rate would go into effect Aug. 29, if it is approved by the California Public Utilities Commission Aug. 24, according to California Water Services manager of rates, Tom Smegal. Half of the Redwood Valley Water District could see a retroactive charge on their bill back to the date of the change.
“Cal Water, LCWO and the county need to collaborate to warn people in Lucerne what”s going to happen under the new rate and what they can do to prevent it,” said LCWO”s attorney, Steve Elias.
Concerned ratepayers may contact the CPUC by mail at CPUC Public Adviser, 505 Van Ness Ave. Room 2103, San Francisco, CA 94102. They may also contact the Public Adviser office at (866)849-8390, or e-mail public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov. In addition, they can visit CPUC”s Web site at www.cpuc.ca.gov for more information on meeting dates.
“Public input is always welcome at commission meetings,” said information officer Susan Carothers.
“The judge will make his decision,” said Elias, “and if all kinds of cries of anger are coming from Lucerne, it could have an effect.”
He explained that the commission could do one of three things: approve or reject the rate increase, or defer the decision until a later date.
In the long run, LCWO urges Lucerne”s residents to conserve water and make sure that leaks are fixed quickly in order to avoid water overuse.
Jensen found one family of four on LCWO”s mailing list in an e-mail survey she conducted that uses substantially less than the average 7 cubic feet (ccf) or 5,236 gallons used per household.
“If one family of four can use 3 ccf (2,244 gallons), then anyone can,” Jensen said.
