Two-Year Water Rate Review Supports Better Planning

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Dec. 16, 2024) — Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) takes our responsibility to provide safe, reliable water service seriously. Every dollar you pay is used to maintain, improve, and protect our system—both for today and tomorrow. As a not-for-profit public agency, the money we collect is invested directly back into infrastructure projects, daily operations, and essential services that keep water flowing 24/7.

This year, CCWD’s Board of Directors is considering a change to our rate review process, moving from annual reviews to a two-year rate schedule. While I’ve wrestled with making a change to our long-standing practice, I believe this change will benefit both the organization and you as our customer.

A two-year process will provide predictability for both CCWD and customers. Knowing rates for two years in advance will help households and businesses plan their budgets more effectively. Under the current proposal, a typical customer in energy zone 1—our largest residential energy zone—using 230 gallons per day would see an increase of 20 cents per day in 2025 and another 21 cents per day in 2026. Summarized differently, this amounts to spending approximately $3 per day in 2025 for all household water use needs, including cooking, cleaning, bathing, and outdoor irrigation. A full breakdown of the proposal is available at ccwater.com/rates.

Synchronizing efforts

Importantly, this new process aligns with our two-year budgeting cycle and updates to our 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. Synchronizing these efforts helps us better manage resources and plan important infrastructure projects—like pipeline replacements, pump station upgrades, and treatment plant improvements—that are essential to maintaining reliable water service.

This change is also about stability. It allows CCWD to efficiently manage the rising costs of energy, property insurance, maintenance, and operations. As always, we continue to explore ways to ease the pressure on rates through grants, land leases, and other income sources.

We invite the community to learn more and share feedback during our public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on January 8, 2025, in the CCWD Board Room, 1331 Concord Avenue, Concord. If you have any questions, please visit ccwater.com/rates or call our Customer Service team weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Thank you for your continued support as we operate, maintain, and improve your drinking water system to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

Ernesto A. Avila, P.E., is the President of the Board of Directors for Contra Costa Water District.