How much does the Carlsbad Municipal Water District need to conserve?

The San Diego County Water Authority is reducing water deliveries to water agencies in the region by 8 percent. That means district customers need to reduce their use by at least this much.

Where can the new water use rules be found?

For those who have access to the Web, the ordinance rules can be found on the drought restriction page. Information is also available at city libraries, offices and the Carlsbad Municipal Water District office.

How will the new water conservation rules be enforced?

The water district will investigate complaints about water waste and issue warnings and fines.

How can water waste be reported?

Please contact the Carlsbad Municipal Water District at 760-438-2722.

Are rebates still available for low water use appliances and other water saving devices?

Yes. Rebate programs are handled at the regional level. Visit the San Diego County Water Authority website for rebate information.

Could the City of Carlsbad limit growth as a way to save water?

The Carlsbad Municipal Water District is currently at a Level 2 Drought Alert condition. At Level 3, no new building permits will be issued. In general, the city has limited its growth in accordance with the Growth Management Plan, passed by voters in 1986. This plan sets strict limits on how growth occurs in the city, and mandates that sufficient infrastructure and resources be available to support any new development before that growth is approved. Any development already approved must adhere to the same water use restrictions as everyone else.

How is the City of Carlsbad conserving water?

The city is also subject to the new water conservation rules. During the heat of the summer, some grass and other landscaping at city parks, plants in street medians and landscaping at city facilities may start to turn brown. The city will stop operating the fountain on the corner of Grand Avenue and State Street in the village. City buildings are undergoing water audits to identify ways to increase conservation even more.

To prepare for water shortages, the city has aggressively expanded the use of recycled water, promoted increased conservation through water audits and rebate programs, and supported the development of a seawater desalination project. The city has also installed synthetic turf on athletic fields at Pine Avenue, Poinsettia Community, Stagecoach Community and Aviara Community parks and on the event area at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.

Why did water rates go up recently?

Water deliveries to the Carlsbad Municipal Water District have been reduced due to long term drought conditions along the Colorado River and legal restrictions on water that comes from Northern California. These two sources make up about 90 percent of the region’s water supply and 100 percent of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District’s supply.

With less water available from these less expensive supplies, more expensive water resources must be used to provide our water. The cost for Carlsbad Municipal Water District to purchase imported water will increase nearly 20 percent this year. In addition, a very small portion of the rate increase will cover water district operating and maintenance costs to deliver water to homes and businesses.

What are tiered rates and why are they being used?

Tiered water rates are similar to how electricity rates are structured. Customers will pay one rate for basic water use. After this amount of water is used, additional water use will be billed at a higher “tiered” rate. Tiered rates are being used to encourage conservation and ensure fairness while penalizing water wasters.

How much water is each residence allowed to use each month?

The basic amount of water for each single family residence is 12 units or 8,976 gallons per billing cycle of approximately one month. This amount of water should cover basic needs, such as cooking and cleaning. Water used over that amount will be charged at a higher rate.

How can individuals track how much water is being used each month?

There is a box in the upper right of the water bill listing the number of units used in the previous one month billing cycle. One unit of water equals 748 gallons. In addition, learning how to read a water meter will increase awareness of water use, help save on monthly utility costs, and conserve water.

Are all single family households allowed the same amount of water?

Yes.

Why are people in homes with large families and lots allowed the same amount as a single person with a small house and no yard?

One of the most important goals in managing needed water cutbacks was to create a system that was the most fair to the largest number of people. Although no system is perfect, the water district felt tiered rates were the best alternative. To create many different tiers according to size of household or size of property would be very expensive and inefficient to implement. The water district wants to avoid these types of extra expenses that would be passed down to its customers and further increase costs.

Are apartments and condominiums using the same residential rate structure as a single family home?

Most condo units have their own meter and the rate structure would be the same as the single family rates. Apartments typically do not have a meter for each unit and fall under the multi-family rate category. Apartments and condos using recycled water would pay the recycled water rate for landscape irrigation purposes.

How will the water rate changes affect businesses and farmers?

There are different water rates for business, farming and recycled water use. Businesses and farmers will continue to pay for water at a flat rate. Because businesses have such varying needs, it would be extremely difficult to determine basic water usage, so the flat rate is more equitable. All water district customers are expected to cutback on water use, including businesses and farmers.

If a billing cycle is longer than 30 days, will the monthly tier amount be adjusted?

Although the billing cycle may vary slightly in terms of days, there are no adjustments to the tiers. For example, if the customer uses more than 12 units, the amount above 12 will be charged the rate for the next tier.

How long will tiered rates be in place?

The tiered rate system is being proposed as the new rate system. There is no sunset date.

What number can I call if I have more rate questions?

Please call 760-602-2420.

Why is water scarcer now?

Water is scarcer now due to long term drought conditions along the Colorado River and legal restrictions on water that comes from Northern California. These two sources make up about 90 percent of the region's water supply and 100 percent of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District's supply.

Water from Northern California travels through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, also called the Bay Delta, near San Francisco. Fish, as well as people rely on this water. Several fish species found in the Bay Delta are threatened or endangered. One such fish, the delta smelt is small enough to get trapped in the giant pumps that are used to import water to Southern California. Last year, a federal judge ordered decreased pumping to save the delta smelt. As a result, the Metropolitan Water District has warned that 70 percent of its supplies from Northern California could be lost and would require mandatory reductions. Of the total imported water supply received by the San Diego County Water Authority in 2008, 39 percent was received from the Bay Delta.

To make matters worse, for the past few years drought conditions have plagued regions that feed the Colorado River. Sixty-one percent of the San Diego County Water Authority’s imported water supply came from the Colorado River in 2008. In addition, for many years the State of California has depended on surplus water from the Colorado River but population growth in other states has diminished California’s surplus water supply.

Where does Carlsbad's water come from?

Currently, the Carlsbad Municipal Water District imports all of its drinking water from hundreds of miles away from Northern California and the Colorado River.

Realizing the need for a locally controlled, sustainable water supply, Carlsbad officials have been working for 10 years to support the development of an ocean water desalination plant. The Carlsbad Desalination Plant was approved in May by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The project is scheduled to begin construction this year and be operational by 2012. The city has a contract with the plant's owner, Poseidon Resources Corp., to purchase water at a rate equal to the current price of imported water.

Will conservation still be needed once the new desalination plant is built?

Water conservation will continue to be a way of life in Carlsbad because it is the right thing to do for the environment and helps the city be more sustainable. After the desalination project is complete, Carlsbad will no longer have to rely on imported water for 100 percent of its supply. When water restrictions are imposed on the region, the effect on Carlsbad will not be as drastic as on other water agencies that rely more heavily on imported water sources.