Public Hearing on Potential Water Rate & Charge Increases of Up to 3.25%
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.
Board Room - 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord  CA

The Contra Costa Water District wishes to notify you of a Public Hearing where treated water revenue increases of up to 3.25% will be discussed.  Public comments and written protests will be accepted at this Public Hearing. 

Following the Public Hearing, the Board will take under consideration the adoption of the proposed revenue increases.  Not all treated water charges will be proposed to increase.  If a 3.25% revenue increase is approved on December 16, the increase to a single family residential customer in the District using 370 gallons per day would be approximately $2.03 per month.  The treated water charges below may be proposed to increase up to the following:

* for a 5/8-inch meter; charges for larger meters are proportionate to size as generally described in Section 5.12.010

CCWD Code of Regulations

District charges are based on the cost of providing water service.  The Quantity Charge pays a share of the District’s operating costs, debt service costs and capital costs for water system infrastructure rehabilitation and improvements. The Service and Demand charge pays for the costs for reading meters and billing customers as well as infrastructure required to meet peak demands. 

For further information call (925) 688-8104 os send an e-mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive this notice?

Each year, the CCWD Board reviews and applies an annual rate adjustment in order to maintain service, operations and facilities. CCWD provides notification of any rate adjustment consideration to customers at least 45-days prior to a Board decision. At the December 16, 2009 meeting of the CCWD Board of Directors, the Board will consider a water rate increase of up to 3.25%.

Why does CCWD review rates on an annual basis?

The CCWD Board of Directors adopted rate policy set a goal to keep annual rate adjustments at less than the rate of inflation; since its adoption in 1994 aggregate rate adjustments total less than 50% of inflation of that period. At the same time, annual adjustments maintain the revenue needed to sustain the conveyance and treatment infrastructure to ensure reliable delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water. The adjustment for 2010 demonstrates that the District operates as a responsible and sustainable utility and protects purchasing power of customers.

Is this rate increase a result of lost revenues from the Drought Management Program?

To be fair to its customers, the District is not increasing its rates to make up for reduced water sales during the drought. That commitment is backed by a long-standing reserve fund created to help offset the financial effects of drought. Also to ensure fairness, the Drought Management Program included excess-use charges only for customers who used more than 1,000 gallons a day and failed to conserve or, in some cases, used even more water than they had in the past. When California is out of drought conditions and the Drought Management Program ends, the excess use charges will no longer be in effect.

What do rate increases fund?

Rate increases ensure that sufficient funding is available to meet the District’s operating, capital and debt service requirements. This protects our customers’ investment into a safe and reliable water treatment and delivery system.

How much will this increase affect my water bill?

If the Board approves a 3.25% increase, for a single-family residence with water use of 370 gallons day the increase would be approximately $2.03 per month.

Impact of the potential water revenue increase on CCWD's budget