New Water Rates

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding the tiered ratestructure.

The Palmdale Water District (“District”) provides water service to approximately 26,000 connections over a population of 115,000.

The District’s water supply consists of a mix of 60 percent surface water (from Littlerock Reservoir and State Water Project Water) and 40 percent from the District’s 25 area groundwater wells.

The old rates were established by a Water Rate Study completed in 2005. The District has not increased its rates since 2005 even though there has been an approximate 16% increase in costs due to inflation alone. General increases in costs, necessary infrastructure repairs and enhancements, along with the District’s ongoing commitment to water conservation, has led the District to implement the new rate structure, which promotes conservation and ensures the District’s financial sufficiency regardless of variations in consumption.

The principal reasons for the new water rates are to promote efficient use of water, promote conservation and to provide revenues sufficient to:

     Provide excellent water quality through the newly upgraded water treatment plant for       Total Organic Carbon (“TOC”) and Trihalomethanes (“THM”) removal using a Granular       Activated Carbon (“GAC”) system. GAC is recognized by the Environmental Protection       Agency as the “Best Available Technology” to meet new THM standards.

     Respond to decreased water deliveries and imported water supply reliability due to
      environmental concerns in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta, lower snow packs in the
      Sierra, increased cost of imported water due to recent droughts in California and to address
      the Governor’s call to reduce urban water use by twenty percent (20%) per person by
      2020.

     Operate and maintain, repair and replace water facilities to maintain system reliability,
      including water treatment plant upgrades and reservoir improvements.

     Replace aging pipes, pumps and other infrastructure to reduce the number of pipeline
      breaks and emergency repairs.

     Comply with federal and state environmental and safe drinking water rules, including a
      State Department of Public Health Compliance Order requiring, among other things,
      enhanced and expanded water treatment capacity.

The District desires to stabilize revenues regardless of variations in consumption due to weather, supply disruptions or drastic supply costs by having 60 percent of its fixed costs recovered through the fixed monthly service charge. The District has implemented a new surcharge for improving water quality resulting from the construction of a new upgraded water treatment plant using the GAC system for TOC and THM removal.

The proposed water rates that went into effect on May 14, 2009, are as follows:

Service Charge:
Meter Size	Current Charge	CY 2009 May 14	CY 2010 Jan 1	CY 2011 Jan 1	CY 2012 Jan 1	CY 2013 Jan 1	CY 2014 Jan 1
5/8"	12.87	25.97	29.60	31.97	34.53	37.29	40.27
1"	25.73	50.66	57.75	62.37	67.36	72.75	78.57
1 1/2 "	38.60	91.81	104.67	113.04	122.08	131.85	142.40
2"	64.34	141.20	160.96	173.84	187.75	202.77	218.99
3"	128.67	256.43	292.33	315.71	340.97	368.25	397.71
4"	218.74	421.05	479.99	518.39	559.86	604.65	653.02
6"	424.61	832.59	949.15	1,025.08	1,107.09	1,195.65	1,291.31
8"	681.95	1,326.44	1,512.14	1,633.11	1,763.76	1,904.86	2,057.25
10"	990.76	1,902.60	2,168.96	2,342.48	2,529.87	2,732.26	2,950.84

Commodity Charge ($/ccf*):
Tier	Current	CY 2009	CY 2010	CY 2011	CY 2012	CY 2013	CY 2014
Tier 1	1.27	0.64	0.73	0.79	0.85	0.92	1.00
Tier 2	1.29	2.50	2.59	2.66	2.73	2.80	2.88
Tier 3	1.32	3.20	3.31	3.39	3.46	3.55	3.64
Tier 4	1.37	4.16	4.30	4.39	4.49	4.60	4.71
Tier 5	1.41	5.03	5.14	5.22	5.30	5.39	5.48

Elevation Booster Surcharge ($/ccf*):
Area	Current	CY 2009	CY 2010	CY 2011	CY 2012	CY 2013	CY 2014
Area 1	0.17	0.23	0.25	0.27	0.29	0.31	0.34
Area 2	0.36	0.49	0.53	0.57	0.62	0.67	0.72
Area 3	1.26	1.71	1.85	2.00	2.16	2.33	2.52

Water Quality Fee ($/ccf*):
Current	CY 2009	CY 2010	CY 2011	CY 2012	CY 2013	CY 2014
0	0.20	0.20	0.21	0.22	0.23	0.23

*ccf = hundred cubic feet = 748 gallons. Water use is metered in units of ccf

The effective dates for rate changes are: 5/14/09 (CY 2009), 1/1/10 (CY 2010), 1/1/11 (CY 2011), 1/1/12 (CY 2012), 1/1/13 (CY 2013), 1/1/14 (CY 2014)

The District developed the above water rate structure to encourage efficient use of water and discourage waste by providing users a water budget allocation suited to their specific needs. The tiers in water budget rates are defined individually for each customer as shown below.

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Water Budgets:

According to American Water Works Association, “water budgets are volumetric allotments of water to customers based on customer-specific characteristics and conservative resource standards.” After completing a thorough study the District proposes the following approach to determine individual water budgets for each customer in the newly defined customer classes as shown in the following table.

For residential customers, the indoor allocation will be based on an average of 4 occupants per home providing an allotment of 60 gallons per capita per day (GPCD). Adjustments for additional occupants can be requested by submitting an Adjustment Application (or Variance) to the District. These applications may be obtained from the District office or website and will require supporting documentation and approval.

The outdoor allocation will be based on irrigable area (“IA”) determined by the total square footage of the parcel from assessor’s data and the amount of water required to maintain a healthy landscape. For residential customers, the irrigable area is estimated to be 45 percent of the total parcel area. For irrigation only customers, the irrigable area is assumed to be 100 percent of total parcel area.

The amount of water needed for irrigation is based on:

     Weather: determined by evapotranspiration (ET0) data gathered from a local weather
      station

     Landscape factor: the State of California Code of Regulations Title 23, Section 491 provides
      a landscape factor (“LF”) adjustment of 70 percent to the amount of water needed for
      irrigation to encourage conservation

     Conservation factor: approved by District Board to account for water supply shortages
      (currently set at 100%).

To calculate the customer-specific monthly water budget allocation, the following equations can be used:

     Indoor allocation = GPCD * Household Size * Days per billing cycle / (748 gallons/ccf)

     Outdoor allocation = (ET0/(12in/ft))* IA * LF * conservation factor / (100 ft3 / 1 ccf)

The tiers for non-residential customers will be revised when the Board declares a water supply emergency and mandatory cutbacks in water usage.

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Elevation Zones:

In November of 2000, the District established a surcharge to pass on the increased costs of delivering water to customers in higher elevation zones. This surcharge continues under the new rate structure.

The District is divided into four (4) elevation service zones, as shown on the Zone map below. The northern most area is defined as the "Base Area", while moving south the Zone structure includes "Area 1", "Area 2", and "Area 3". If you are in Areas A1, A2, or A3, you will be charged an elevation booster surcharge based on the water units you use ($/ccf) as shown in the preceding tables.

click on map to enlarge

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Variances:
Are there any variances that qualify for additional water allocations?

Click Here to print out Variance Application to return to PWD

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions regarding the tiered ratestructure.

1) Yes - Additional Members to Household
If a residence has more than four (4) members in its household, that residence can request a variance. A copy of the most recent income tax return, a driver’s license, rental/lease agreement or birth certificate may be required. If the District approves a variance request, that residence will be given an additional 60 gallons per person per day.

2) Yes - Medical Variance
If a resident of any household has a medical situation requiring additional water (as prescribed by a doctor), that household may apply for a variance. Under a general medical variance, households will receive an additional 3.0 ccfs (2,244 gals) per month. If water for dialysis is required, the residence will receive the amount needed as prescribed by a doctor, which would typically range from 8-10 additional ccfs per month.

3) Yes - Licensed Child or Elderly Care Facility
If a residence is a licensed child care or an elderly care facility, that residence may request a variance. A copy of the business license should be included with any such variance request. If approved by the District, the residence will receive an additional 500 gallons per child per month, or 1000 gallons per adult per month.

4) No - Additional Landscape Area
The District’s outside allocation for residential customers is based on 45% percent of the total parcel area. City parks and landscaping maintenance areas receive 100% percent of their irrigated area. The allowable amount of water for outside landscape areas is based on the allowable area times a factor for water based on current weather conditions. A variance may be requested under “other” on the Request for Variance Form.

5) No - First Year New Landscape
An additional allocation for new landscaping is not provided.

6) Yes - Leaks
If a leak at any residence has been found and repairs have been made by the resident or through a contractor, a variance request may be submitted with proof of purchase of materials or a contractor’s invoice. Residents will be required to pay for the loss of water, but will not be subject to penalty tiers if their repairs have been approved in advance. This variance will apply up to the last thirty days of water use. Variances other than those listed may be approved on an individual basis. Variance Request Forms may also be found at the District office - 2029 East Ave Q, Palmdale.

Click Here to print out Variance Application to return to PWD

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New Bill Format:
Click on the image below to view the new bill format. The fields and sections are explained in the chart beneath the image.

Click on image to enlarge

Location Number: Please use this number when requesting Information about your account. Payment Deadline and Amount Due: Water Usage for the Month: Customers will pay more into higher tiers if their monthly allocation is exceeded ET Controller Charge: This charge is a monthly, five (5) year payment plan only for customers who sign up for the “Smart Controller Program.” Water Charges: The water charges section details fixed monthly water charges and water use in each of the five billing tiers. To pay the lowest rates, keep your water use within tier one (1). Customers may request conservation assistance by calling the PWD conservation team at 947-4111 x120. Penalty Tiers: When the water allocation is exceeded for any given month, customers will go into penalty tiers at a higher rate. There are many ways to reduce the overuse of water. Consider District Rebate Programs, turf replacement, smart controllers, high efficiency toilets and clothes washers and MP rotators. Check your irrigation system for efficiency and look for leaks. Water plants with only the amount of water they needed. See the District website section on Water Conservation for approved rebates.

Water Allocation When the water allocation is exceeded for any given month, customers will go into penalty tiers at a higher rate. There are many ways to reduce the overuse of water. Consider District “Rebate Programs;” turf replacement, smart controllers, high efficiency toilets and clothes washers and MP rotators. Check your irrigation system for efficiency and look for leaks. Water plants with only the amount of water they needed. See the District website section on Water Conservation for approved rebates. Water Use Profile: The Water Use Profile enables customers to check current water use against the previous year's usage levels. The graph shows actual water use vs. water allocation for the past 12 months. This tool helps customers to stay below their monthly allocation. Message Area: Check here for messages, and additional information. For a copy of the new bill handout that shows the fields and explanation, click here. For More information contact the district offices at (661) 456-9411

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More Information...
Click here for more information regarding the Water Rate Calculator, the Water Rate Study, Evapotranspiration, and more ...

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