There has been a great deal of confusion among ratepayers of the Santa Ynez River Water Conservation District No. 1.

Perhaps this is a result of poor communication by the ID1. Many customers have seen their rates go up substantially. It appears the angst among ratepayers is a direct result of this communication deficit.

I suspect that had the ID1 done a better job of explaining the rate increases prior to the board meeting in May, when the higher rates were voted on, it is likely the 1,441 valid letter complaints that would have stopped the increase might have been in hand.

In any event, that did not happen, and ratepayers must face that reality. There are now lots of rumored lawsuit threats circulating. I have no idea what the basis of a lawsuit might be. That is up to the lawyers.

The following is an attempt to provide a precise exposition of the new rates vs. the old. In this comparison of old and new, I will try to outline the differences and the escalation of costs. As an example, I have used residential/rural (RR) 2-inch pipe. Most residents can be qualified for this definition.

First, there is an 8-percent increase in meter rates on 2-inch R/R meters, with increases of 5 percent each year for the next four years. In the fourth year, the increase will be 28 percent.

Second, there is a 21-percent increase in consumption charges on base usage. The old consumption base was 70 cubic feet. This increases 5 percent each year for the next four years. In the fourth year, the increase will be 41 percent.

Third, there is a 109-percent increase in excess usage charges - usage over the base - with 5-percent increases over the next four years. In the fourth year, the increase will be 129 percent.

Therefore, a user of 70ccf would see an increase of 14.6 percent in their total water bill now. A user of 125ccf would see an increase of 50 percent in their total water bill now. A user of 175ccf would see an increase of 53 percent in their total water bill now.

The driver behind the much higher percentage increase for the 125ccf user is the additional 55ccf which is being charged at the higher rate of $1.13.

The remaining question you might ask the ID1 is why these rates have gone up to these levels, and where the additional money will go and why. I have found the ID1 manager very accessible and courteous. I can say the same about the staff and board.

Source: Syvnews