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Politics & Government

Moulton Niguel Water District to Vote on New Rate Plan

A new five tiered rate plan is front and center tonight after water district takes an additional two and a half months to address customer concerns.

The board of the Moulton Niguel Water District will vote tonight on a new rate structure based on efficiency of customer use, rather than a flat rate.

The district originally planned to vote on the rate plan in February, but delayed the vote until tonight in order to address customer backlash and resistance to the plan.

At the public hearing on Feb. 23, customers criticized the accuracy of the data used to set allocations and the ambiguity of the plan. Residents were also angry about this increase that was on top of a 16.2 percent that is already set to take place in June.

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To address these concerns, the district updated the online calculator which shows customers how their rates will be changing. The district also will clearly explain how the plan works to any customers with questions, but the original rate plan remains unchanged.

The rate plan consists of five tiers, from a Conservation Tier to a Wasteful Tier.

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Tier 1, the Conservation Tier, will cost $1.38 per 748 gallons. 

Tier 2, the Efficient Tier, will cost $1.54 per 748 gallons. 

Tier 3, the Inefficient Tier, will cost $2.75 per 748 gallons and will be billed to those who exceed their total water budget by up to 25 percent.

Tier 4, the Excessive Tier will cost $5.51 per 748 gallons and will be billed to those who exceed their total water budget by up to 50 percent.

Tier 5, the Wasteful Tier, will cost $11.02 per 748 gallons and will be billed to those who exceed their water budget by more than 50 percent.

Allocations of water are based on individual usage of 65 gallons per person per day—and an outdoor allotment which is calculated using a survey the district conducted of residents’ lot size and area that is landscaped, weather data pertaining to that specific area and plant types.

Most customers will see an increase of 3 cents per billing unit of water.  One billing unit is 748 gallons and most customers will use 18 units per month. However, those who use their water inefficiently will see a much larger increase in their bills, up to $11.02 per billing unit.

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