Alameda County Water District To Consider Fee Increase

Alameda County Water District customers may see an 8 percent increase to water charges if a proposed fee hike is adopted by the water district’s board.

The proposed increase would  help the Alameda County Water District pay for “projects needed to ensure reliable water delivery in the Tri-City area,” according to a press release.

ACWD General Manager Walt Wadlow said the fees will go toward the water districts projects that would enhances its reliability, particularly in the emergency situations such as fire protection and after earthquakes.

If adopted, customers will see an increase of about 10.7 cents per day for customers who use an average of 283 gallons of water per day with a meter size of 5/8 or 0.75 inches.

The hike also includes a 6 percent increase in water commodity rate, meaning an rise in water fees from $2.97 to $3.15 per unit. Each unit totals 748 gallons.

District officials said the fee increase also includes a 19 percent increase in the bimonthly service charge, which is dependent on each property’s meter size. That charge will increase by $2.38 for customers with a meter size of 5/8 or 0.75 inches, according to the press release.

Alameda County Water District officials said while the fees are increasing, the service charge ranks among the lowest of 30 water agencies in the Bay Area.

District officials said proposed surges were moderated by:

• Deferring capital projects, where possible, in response to projected lower demands.
• Maximizing productivity through the implementation of more efficient work practices.
•  Utilizing interagency collaboration to share costs.
•  Securing grants and reimbursements.

ACWD Manager of Finance Shelley Burgett said the district is proud that is has controlled its fee hikes.

“Nobody likes rate increases, especially in hard economic times. We’re proud, however, that our cost controls have helped to keep ACWD’s water rates among the lowest in the Bay Area, while at the same time enabling us to offer the exceptional level of service our customers have come to expect,” Burgett said in the press release.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the money generated by the fee increase will help the water district in:

• Funding major capital projects needed to comply with public health and environmental standards.
•  Providing adequate funding to cover the District’s fixed costs.
• Recovering the cost of rising prices for purchased water and other operating expenses.

Customers who have concerns about the proposed fee hikes are invited to attend a public hearing on the matter that will be held on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. in the board room of the water district’s headquarters, 43885 South Grimmer Blvd. in Fremont.

For more information on the Alameda County Water District, visit www.acwd.com.