Rates and Water Recycling

By Dwight L. "Pat" Howard

I will work hard to expand water recycling and to contain water and sewage rates to a minimum.

I would like to see lifeline discount rates (both water and sewer) for low income senior citizens. Unfortunately, DSRSD cannot legally provide such a benefit under current law. DSRSD must provide equal "cost of service" to all its customers. However, the district now has a two tier system for water rates. Water usage over 30 units (1 unit = 100 cu. ft) is charged at a higher rate. I would add a third tier for very heavy water users. The resulting income would be used to lower the rate for the first basic tier of water usage. This would, in effect, lower the water charges for all those living in modest dwellings using modest amounts of water.

The district currently charges differing sewer rates to various non-residential customers. This is based on the differing costs of waste water treatment due to the differing components of their waste water effluents. This practice has allowed DSRSD to recently reduce sewer rates charged to schools by 18%. This will save our San Ramon and Dublin schools thousands of dollars per year.

I also support increasing electrical power generation within DSRSD. Electricity is a major cost factor in DSRSD rates. I would add a power generation plant using a mixture of sewer gases (primarily methane) and natural gas to the existing facilities at the sewer plant. I would also explore the use of solar-electric generation at both the sewer plant and at the LAVWMA pumping station.

In summary, I strongly believe that the district must maintain an adequate financial reserve and a strong equipment preventative maintenance program for long term cost control. I would not support short term rate reductions that would jeopardize these programs. I believe that cost-conscious programs such a those mentioned above, and continuous scrutiny of the district budget will keep rates as low as possible.