Water rates

We're hearing a lot about water rates this election. With the world seemingly spinning out of control, we can certainly understand people's concern. People may not be able to fix the financial markets, but they can definitely weigh in on our water rates.

A bit of history. In considering the new rate package last year, the water board's first priority was that it be fair to all rate-payers. Even before they held a public hearing, they asked the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to meet with their water rate experts to make sure everyone's concerns were addressed. The CAC is a broad community-based group with between 10-15 members, including Jay St. Gaudens and me.

These rate experts had looked at the future financial needs of the district and compared our rates with other similarly-sized districts. They told the CAC that, based on their findings, they were recommending that the district go to three rate tiers and that the rates be increased by an average of 6% for each of the next four years.

For the majority of users, the 6% increase would translate to a relatively modest increase of about $2.37 per month the first year. Nevertheless, Joshua Tree has many small water users on fixed incomes for whom any increase would be a burden. The CAC therefore recommended to the board that a fourth tier be implemented, which the board agreed to do.

Our other priority was to encourage people to conserve water. The way rates are tiered, people pay the lowest rate for the first tier water they use. If they go into the second tier, they pay the higher rate only for their usage over the minimum and so on for the other tiers. This means that people who use a lot of water pay the higher rates and people who use the minimum pay the lowest.

What do these rates cover?

* Keeping our district strong and viable.
* Replacing our aging pipes. Some steel pipes have been in the ground for 50 years and are very corroded requiring water to be chlorinated.
* Establishing a routine preventative schedule to maintain our $6.5 million system. That had never been done in the past.
* Allowing the district to pay as it goes, including bringing in water from the State Water Project once the recharge ponds are in.
* Keeping up with increased costs. Moving water in California takes 20% of the state's electricity and 30% of it's natural gas usage. Electricity to pump water is JBWD's highest budget item, even though the district pumps most of its water at night to take advantage of the lowest rates.


The next time someone talks about our 'outrageous' water rates, remind them that Joshua Basin has the second lowest rates in the Morongo Basin. Moreover Joshua Basin Water District is an advanced, progressive water district with a board that is committed to serving the people. They plan ahead so they can keep costs down and the system in healthy operating condition. The end result is when you turn on the faucet, you get pure, clean, reasonably-priced water.

Mickey Luckman