Rates will be reflected in Feb. 2016 water bill

By Walnut Valley Water District

WALNUT– New rate increase reminders were mailed out to all Walnut Valley Water District customers last week.

The new rate increase will take effect on Jan. 1 and will be reflected in their February 2016 water bill.

In November 2014, the WVWD’s Board of Directors approved a five-year rate plan to primarily cover cost increases.

WVWD also mailed out rate sheets for customers to understand the new rates and charges that were approved last November.

Walnut Valley Water District is 100 percent dependent upon imported water supplies purchased from Metropolitan Water District through its local wholesaler, Three Valleys Municipal Water District. These water supplies must travel very long distances to reach Walnut families and businesses.

To decrease dependence upon these costly imported water supplies, WVWD has been working diligently for several years to secure additional water from local sources, partnering with other regional water agencies to develop local groundwater basins for future use. These efforts require careful planning and significant financial investment to help ensure long-term supply reliability.

Approximately 50 percent of every dollar spent by WVWD does not vary based upon the quantity of water used by its customers. These costs are associated with the effective operations and maintenance of WVWD’s water system infrastructure and all services provided by WVWD to meet the needs of its customers.

In response to California’s most severe drought to date, WVWD Board of Directors adopted a Stage 3 Water Supply Shortage Resolution and implemented a drought rate surcharge. Since adopting the Stage 3 Water Supply Shortage, WVWD customers have answered the call to conserve and have successfully reduced their overall water usage.

District officials encourage customers to “Keep Saving…..Every Drop Counts!” The District remains fully committed to its mission of “providing a reliable, high quality water supply in a fiscally efficient and environmentally responsible manner while remaining committed to providing superior service to our customers.”