Water District Board Adopts Rate Increases

The following is a press release from the Alameda County Water District:

Fremont – At its meeting on Jan. 12, the Alameda County Water District Board of Directors adopted new rates for the 2012 calendar year.

The rate increases will help to fund critical infrastructure improvements necessary to ensure a reliable and safe water supply for Fremont, Newark, and Union City.

ACWD Board President John Weed commented on the new rates, saying, “The Board takes very seriously the issue of rate increases, especially during tough economic times. Unfortunately, aging pipelines, reservoirs, and treatment facilities need to be upgraded or replaced when their lifespans are through – whether that’s in good economic times or bad. Without the revenue to make these changes, our water supply would be at risk.”

The commodity and service charge rate increases will result in an increase of approximately 8 percent, or $3.24 per month, for the average residential customer using approximately 280 gallons per day and with a 5/8 or 3/4 inch meter.

The rate changes include a 6 percent increase in the water commodity rate and a 19 percent increase in the bimonthly service charge.

“Water rates across the nation have been rising rapidly due to the need to replace aging infrastructure,” noted Jim Gunther, ACWD Board Vice President. “Fortunately, ACWD recognized this need long ago and planned for the expenses to deal with it. We’ve therefore been able to keep our rate increases low. In fact, even with the new increases, ACWD’s rates still rank among the lowest in the Bay Area.”

The new rates take effect February 1, 2012.

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For more than 95 years, the Alameda County Water District has supplied water to the residents and businesses of southern Alameda County. ACWD supplies drinking water to the more than 324,000 people living in the cities of Fremont, Newark, and Union City. For more information, please visit www.acwd.org.