EBMUD Drops the Drought
Sophie Braccini – update April 14 2009

The Board of Directors of the East Bay Municipal Utility District today unanimously decided to suspend the drought surcharge in place since August 1^st of 2008.  The return to a normal rate structure will be effective July 1, 2009.  Rates will increase by an average of 7.5% for two years; a final decision on budget cuts will be made by the Board in the coming weeks.
The April 14^th meeting started with General Manager Dennis Diemer presenting the latest water estimates.  These estimates were better than expected, “It’s our wettest drought on record,” he said.  The alternative presented to the Board was to either end the drought in July or at the end of September (the normal “water year.”)
Some Directors felt uneasy about stopping the drought surcharge in July.  The drought rate system adds-on to the bill of the users who do not meet the water reduction target.  Director William Patterson (Oakland) was concerned with the loss of revenue that will result of return to the previous rate structure, while Director Lesa MacIntosh (San Pablo, Richmond) wondered if consumers would continue to conserve water once the District stops surcharging.
Both Board Directors representing Lamorinda, Katy Foulkes for Orinda and Moraga, and John Coleman for Lafayette, supported a suspension of the surcharge on July 1^st. Coleman explained that the reserves were replenish enough and that it was time to reward customers for their big efforts; Foulkes asked if it wouldn’t be cheating customer to apply drought rates when in fact the drought is over.
The drought surcharge will be suspended effective July 1^st and customers will see the change on their September bill.  At the same time a general rate increase will take effect, with an 8.7% raise for single family residents, 7.9% for multiple family residents, 5.2% for commercial users and 4.9% for industrial users.  The higher rate for single family users reflects the greater level of service required.