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Fallbrook and Rainbow Water Districts Get OK to Split From San Diego Water Authority

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Deborah Sullivan Brennan Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Rainbow and Fallbrook water districts are free to join a water system in Riverside County, after a split decision by regional policymakers Monday that would slightly lower costs for ratepayers in those districts but may raise water rates in other areas across San Diego County.

The San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, which is responsible for approving and managing changes to local jurisdictions, voted 5-3 to authorize Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Muncipal Water District to separate from the San Diego Water Authority. They plan to join Eastern Municipal Water District, which serves southern Riverside County, said Jack Bebee general manager for the Fallbrook district.

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Fallbrook, Rainbow Water ‘Divorce’ Approved by County Commission

/in , , /by /KPBS-FM/TVby Alexander Nguyen and Charlotte Radulovich Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), in a 5-3 vote Monday, approved the request of Fallbrook Public Utility District and Rainbow Municipal Water District to detach from the 24-member San Diego County Water Authority.

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County Board Votes to Allow Fallbrook, Rainbow to Detach from Water Authority

/in , , /by /Times of San Diego by Chris Jennewein Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

The San Diego County Local Area Formation Commission voted 5-3 on Monday to allow two rural water districts in North San Diego County to detach from the San Diego County Water Authority.

LAFCO, which is responsible for forming special public districts, did not require a vote by ratepayers and did not set a timetable for detachment of the two districts, pending further study.

The Fallbrook Public Utility District and the Rainbow Municipal Water District, with a total of 56,000 residents, are seeking to join the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County in hopes of securing lower-cost water for farmers.

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County Leaders Consider Fallbrook, Rainbow Switch from San Diego County Water Authority

/in , /by /10 News San Diegoby Natay Holmes Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

County leaders are considering allowing the cities of Fallbrook and Rainbow to switch from San Diego County Water Authority to a water district in Riverside County.

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Padre Dam Customers Could Be Facing Even Higher Bills

/in , , /by /East County Magazineby Mike Allen Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Already paying some of the highest water bills in the nation, customers of Padre Dam Municipal Water District as well as 22 other agencies could see their rates increase even more if two North County water districts secede from the San Diego County Water Authority.

Both the Fallbrook Public Utilities District and the Rainbow Municipal Water District have been trying to leave the CWA because they say the costs for the purchased water is too high, and they can get it cheaper by joining the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County.

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Water Authority Responds to LAFCO Commission Vote on Detachment

/in , /by

July 10, 2023 – Mel Katz, chair of the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors, issued the following statement in response to today’s decision by the San Diego County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) regarding the proposed detachment of two water agencies from the Water Authority.

“Today’s unprecedented decision by San Diego LAFCO is very disappointing because it will raise water rates for disadvantaged communities, working families, 70% of agriculture in the county, small businesses, and everyone else across our region. We’re deeply concerned that LAFCO decided that water ratepayers across San Diego County don’t get a say in whether Fallbrook and Rainbow can walk away from their bills and shift their costs to the rest of the county.

“It’s also clear that LAFCO failed to study the environmental impacts of its decision, as required by state law – a serious breach of public confidence in a system that’s supposed to protect us all.”

— Mel Katz, Board Chair, San Diego County Water Authority

 

 

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