CCWD Board Considers Two Drought Management Programs

CCWD’s Board of Directors Wednesday night discussed and read a Drought Management Program Ordinance that features two plans to save water while not raising water rates.

The board will not decide on either of these two plans until its next meeting on April 1, and will most-likely base its decision on a water forecast from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that’s expected to be released later this month.

The allocations for both programs would be based on customers’ average historical allocations for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, adjusted for each two-month billing period.

The first of the two plans is a Mandatory Program and would seek an overall 25 percent reduction in water use. The program features a sliding scale that requires little or no cutbacks from the smallest water users, to required cutbacks of more than 40 percent for the largest water users.

The second plan, called the Voluntary Program, would seek a 15 percent reduction from residential customers. For customers who use less than 1,000 gallons per day, they will not be subject to excess water use charges if they meet or use less than their historical use. Those who use more than 1,000 gallons per day will need to cut water use by 15 percent or face excess water use charges.

With either plan, customers will be sent their allocation information in early April. In addition, whichever plan the Board chooses will begin on May 1.

Last year, CCWD asked customers to voluntarily cut their water use, and General Manager Walter J. Bishop said they responded to the request and saved 8 percent during peak summer months.

For more details on the plan, please look at this PDF that was presented to the Board Wednesday night.

Please send us an e-mail or call if you have any questions.