Why the water rates are so high

I paid $93,060.95 into my pension fund for 18 years of service with San Diego City. FPUD’s employees pay nothing into their individual pension plans. FPUD’s ratepayers (us) pay each FPUD employee’s equivalent $93,060.95 retirement co-pay via high water rates.

This huge expense against ratepayers was allowed by FPUD’s directors. Why?

FPUD’s water rates in 1999 are compared to FPUD’s present water rates below:

1999 rates

Domestic & Commercial

First 10,000 gals/month: $1.77/kgal

Over 10,000 gals/month: $1.97/kgal

Monthly Service charge (D-L/D-C-M-R)

Three-quarter-inch meter: $20.75

One-inch meter: $27

Agricultural/Domestic (interruptible)

First 20,000 gals/month: $1.87/kgal (domestic use)

Ag. Interruptible usage: $1.30/kgal

2007 rates

Domestic & Commercial

First 10,000 gals/month: $2.07/kgal

Over 10,000 gals/month: $2.39/kgal

Monthly Service charge (D-L/D-C-M-R)

Three-quarter-inch meter: $29.65

One-inch meter: $38.58

Agricultural/Domestic (interruptible)

First 20,000 gals/month: $2.23/kgal (domestic use)

Ag. Interruptible usage: $1.36/kgal

FPUD’s average monthly domestic rates (including grove domestic) increased by 19 percent. Monthly service charges for three-quarter- and one-inch meters increased by a huge 43 percent. Sewer rates are drastically high at $42.78/single family/month.

FPUD paid Ron Packard $100,000/year as a federal lobbyist for the useless Santa Margarita project when California State approval was needed first (which they will never receive).

Archie McPhee