Shana Epstein, Ventura Water General Manager
Q. I’m a Ventura Water customer and our family has been doing our part to conserve water. Can you explain why Ventura Water modified the existing residential Tier 1 into two tiers and why 0 to 6 HCF?
A. As the city and state experience one of the most severe droughts on record, Californians have proven they have the ingenuity and commitment to meet the challenges of conserving water. Coping with the impacts of a water shortage requires adaptation and full participation. When our Ventura Water Shortage Task Force (13 local customers serving on the advisory committee) evaluated different water shortage rate options, they heard loud and clear from customers who “used such a small amount of water” that there was no more room to budge. In response, the first tier was split to ensure rates were not increased for the lowest residential water consumers defined as the first six units (1 unit = 748 gallons.) These six units protect water usage at the lowest level to reflect minimum needs for health and sanitation. The new Tier 1 or “lifeline usage” remains unchanged in all water shortage stages for all customers, and will not be impacted by increased water shortage rates.
City of Ventura customers have been doing a great job in their conservation efforts. In June and July, Ventura saved 40% and 39% respectively, which met the cumulative goal of 20%. These hot summer months are our opportunity to have the greatest impact – and we ask community members to continue saving water so we can finish out the year maintaining our reduction goal of 20%.
Ventura Water offers many ways to help our community members save water (and money). Contact us at 805.667.6500 or online at www.venturawater.net to schedule a free water conservation survey and learn how to reduce water use in and around your home or business. If you’re thinking of designing a new drought resilient landscape, apply now for our WaterWise Incentive program while funds are still available by visiting www.cityofventura.net/waterwise/incentiveprogram. To learn about Ventura Water’s plans for a sustainable water future, you can take an in-depth tour of our VenturaWaterPure Potable Reuse demonstration facility on Saturday’s from 9am to 11am through December 2015. Private groups interested in weekday tours can also be accommodated with advanced notice. RSVP to [email protected].
