City: Group is Trying to Mislead Community

A group that recently announced its opposition to Claremont's attempt to take control of the city’s water supply system is making misleading statements about the effort, city officials said Tuesday.

“Groups calling themselves ‘Stop (the) Claremont Water Grab’ and ‘CA Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights’ have begun making misleading statements regarding the City of Claremont’s offer to purchase the water system utility from Golden State Water Company,” Claremont officials said through a written statement.

“Both groups are operated by a crisis communications firm in Sacramento, River City Communications,” according to the statement. “Golden State Water has aligned itself with River City Communications in its effort to deny California cities that are also served by the publicly-traded water company, the right to received affordable, safe and reliable water service from a municipally-owned water utility.”

The city's response came a day after California Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights announced its efforts to start a campaign to educate the public about what the city is doing and why they should be opposed.

The organization accuses the city of not being transparent. It called Claremont’s efforts another example of the growing threat to private water rights.

“These takeover efforts are more about expanding government control of water than ensuring that customers receive reliable water service,” members of the alliance said.

Claremont and Golden State have been locked in a war of words. Tension stems from rising water rates. The water company is attempting to raise next year’s water rates by more than 25 percent, Claremont city officials said.

Surrounding cities pay far less for their water usage, city officials said. But Golden State pointed out that the city uses much more water than their neighbors.

In November, the city offered Golden State $54 million for the water delivery system. The company quickly rejected to offer. But the two parties have agreed to meet to discuss the issue, city officials said.

Below is the entire unedited statement by the city:

Community Alert – False Information Regarding Water Utility System
Groups calling themselves “Stop Claremont Water Grab” and “CA Alliance to Protect Private Property Rights” have begun making misleading statements regarding the City of Claremont’s offer to purchase the water system utility from Golden State Water Company.
Both groups are operated by a crisis communications firm in Sacramento, River City Communications. Golden State Water has aligned itself with River City Communications in its effort to deny California cities that are also served by the publicly-traded water company, the right to received affordable, safe and reliable water service from a municipally-owned water utility.
Other websites, such as “Stop Ojai Water Grab,” have been launched by River City Communications and Golden State Water in communities where they operate.
While Golden State Water did not accept the City of Claremont's purchase offer, the City will be meeting with Golden State and is continuing to move forward and evaluating all options available by law to acquire the water utility.
Claremont officials are unable to comment further on the matter of the offer to purchase as it is an ongoing subject of confidential, closed session discussions regarding property acquisition, as prescribed by State law.