Water Bills Going Up For EVMWD Customers

With outside costs for imported water rising for water districts across the region, Thursday the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District board of directors unanimously approved its budget that includes a rate hike for its customers.

Beginning July 2013, the average EVMWD customer will see a 6 percent total increase on their water bill or approximately $6.93 per month for the average customer, according to a news statement from the district. Since customers’ rates vary by location and elevation, the rate increase will differ based on each customer’s location and water use.

"Having to raise rates is a difficult option that is not taken lightly," said EVMWD Board President Phil Williams in a released statement. “Conservation efforts and the new water budget structure may limit some of the impact felt by the customers to assist in keeping their bills low.”

After several years of maintaining stable water rates, EVMWD now faces an estimated $2.2 million increase in its costs for imported water from the Metropolitan Water District beginning July 1, today’s statement from the district reads. The increase, which is affecting water districts across Riverside County and Southern California, necessitated increased rates for EVMWD water and wastewater customers, according to the statement. 

EVMWD maintains it has initiated cost-cutting measures to lessen the impact to its ratepayers. The district has eliminated nine permanent positions and reduced its conservation budget to help offset the imported water costs by $1 million over two years, according to today’s statement.

To assist ratepayers, EVMWD has increased its seasonal water budget to give its customers more water during the summer, but the district is encouraging water conservation. EVMWD offers residential rebates for the purchase of water conserving products such as MP rotator sprinkler nozzles, high-efficiency washing machines and weather-based irrigation controllers. Customers can also lower their water bills by taking advantage of EVMWD’s landscape workshops and conservation ideas by visiting www.evmwd.com/conservation or call (951) 674-3146 x8247.