Water District to Hold Workshops in Palm Desert Regarding Proposed Rate Increases

PALM DESERT, CA - The Coachella Valley Water District will hold the first of a series of public workshops Thursday regarding proposed rate increases that could potentially be approved by the district this June.

The CVWD Board of Directors will vote on the increases at its June 14 meeting, with new rates going into effect July 1, if approved.

The increases would be the first for domestic water since 2010, according to the district.

Ongoing drought conditions and a $250 million capital improvement project for new treatment facilities and infrastructure are among the district's expected costs, as CVWD aims to bring its water into compliance with new state drinking water standards for chromium-6. The $250 million price tag also includes ongoing operation and maintenance costs.

According to a CVWD statement, the district faces "unprecedented financial challenges," including the chromium-6 standards, maintaining the same level of service amidst the drought and keeping up preventative upgrades and improvements to the water system.

The increases would be part of a long term plan calling for five years of increases. Fixed rates, which fund operation and maintenance of the district's wells and pipes, would increase. Volumetric rates would vary based on individual water use and customer class.

According to the district, the proposed rates would be re-evaluated and voted on each year by the Board of Directors, following public input.

Thursday's meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the district's Steve Robbins Administration Building in Palm Desert, located at 75515 Hovley Lane East. A Spanish-language translator will be available at each meeting.

Additional public workshops are scheduled March 28 and April 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the CVWD Coachella office at 51501 Tyler St.; and May 2 and May 11, at 5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m., respectively, at the Steve Robbins Administration Building.

– By City News Service. Image via Shutterstock.