Alameda County Water District Adopts Bimonthly Service Charge and Water Consumption Charge Increases

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 15, 2017

Alameda County Water District www.acwd.org (510) 668-4200 43885 S. Grimmer Blvd. Fremont, CA 94538

ACWD Contact: Sharene Gonzales, Community Affairs Specialist

Phone: 510.668.4208

Email: Sharene.gonzales@acwd.com

Alameda County Water District Adopts Bimonthly Service Charge and Water Consumption Charge Increases

Fremont, Calif. — At a February 9 public hearing, the ACWD Board of Directors adopted a 2-year water rate increase to both the bimonthly service charge and the per-unit water consumption charge. A 20 percent increase will begin March 1, 2017 followed by a 5 percent increase beginning March 1, 2018. Prior to the public hearing, the board also approved late payment fees and a customer assistance program that will provide a $15 bimonthly bill credit for income qualified customers.

The increases will fund major capital projects, cover significant revenue losses resulting from the drought, address the district’s financial obligations to retiree pensions and benefits, and cover increased operating costs.

For the average residential customer using 16 units of water bimonthly (200 gallons per day) and with a 5/8 or 3/4 inch meter, the increase is $9.54 per month in 2017 and $2.86 in 2018.

In recent years, the district has deferred capital projects, reduced staffing and tapped into reserve funds to reduce expenses.

The 2-year rate increases are anticipated to provide $31 million in additional revenue. ACWD’s amended budget for fiscal year 2016/17 is $119.6 million for total expenditures.

Visit www.acwd.org for more information.

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