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Big Jump in Water Rates Likely in Sonoma

/in , /by /Northern California Public Mediaby Marc Albert
With little discussion, and unanimous approval, city council members in Sonoma started a process to significantly raise water rates in the city. The action Wednesday sets in motion ten years of annual rate increases, totaling a cumulative 53.4 percent. The average monthly bill would rise for just shy of $43 a month to more than $104. Teresa Jurotich, a consultant from the firm Raftelis, which performed a study and devised the rate plan, said without the increases, the city’s water fund would dry up.
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Inglewood Councilmember is ‘Likely’ Holding Incompatible Offices, Water Board’s Attorney Says

/in , /by /Daily Breezeby Jason Henry

An attorney for the West Basin Municipal Water District has determined board member Gloria Gray is likely holding two incompatible offices, in violation of state law, because the water district sells to the Inglewood, where she is now a City Council member.

Elected officials do not need an actual conflict of interest for the two roles to be deemed incompatible, only the “possibility of a clash of duties,” said attorney Joe Byrne, the district’s general counsel, during the water board meeting on Monday, April 24.

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Fort Bragg City Council Lifts All Water Conservation Restrictions

/in , , /by /Mendocino Beacon

Last week, the City Council passed a resolution rescinding the Stage 2 Water Warning and lifting all mandatory water conservation restrictions within the Fort Bragg water service area. The recent rainfall plus the success of the City’s Desalination-Reverse Osmosis Treatment System eliminated the current need for water conservation measures.

Due to the conservation efforts of the community last summer and early fall. Water usage this summer was lower than any year on record. Despite the increased visitation, water usage in August was down 33% from August 2019, and usage in September was down 32% from 2019 (the most recent year without any water restrictions in place).

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Santa Rosa Orders Residents, Businesses to Reduce Water Use By 20%

/in , , /by /San Francisco Chronicleby Omar Shaikh Rashad

The Santa Rosa City Council approved mandatory water-use restrictions for its residents and businesses starting Thursday, becoming the sixth city in Sonoma County to cut back on water.

The motion to approve the water-shortage contingency plan — which mandates residents and businesses reduce water use by 20% — passed with five ayes from Council Members Eddie Alvarez, John Sawyer, Tom Schwedhelm, Mayor Chris Rogers and Vice Mayor Natalie Rogers. Council Members Victoria Fleming and Jack Tibbetts were absent.

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Santa Barbara Council Accepts $10 Million Matching Grant to Operate Desalination Plant

/in , /by /Noozhawkby Joshua Molina

The Santa Barbara City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday to accept a $10 million grant — with the understanding that it will run the plant at full capacity for at least 36 out of the next 40 years. Some environmentalists objected to the council’s decision, citing environmental concerns.

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City Council Decides to Move Forward With Surface Water Treatment Plant Project

/in , /by /Turlock Journalby Kristina Hacker

As the City of Turlock enters the third year in a five-year water rate increase schedule, the City Council held a special meeting to review the plans made — and potential options — when it comes to securing a reliable source of drinking water.

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