What is the Service Charge on my water bill?

What is the Service Charge on my water bill? 
The Meter Service Charge represents fixed costs associated with maintaining your account such as meter reading and ongoing expenses for maintenance of the meter & service lateral to your property. The District incurs these expenses regardless of the actual amount of water used by the customer, and in a sense this charge can be thought of as a readiness-to-serve fee based upon the size of the meter.

How long will the sewer fee continue? 
The sewer fee is an ongoing charge and continues as long as your account is active.

What is the hardness of the water? 
The District's water supply is considered hard like most water in Southern California. The hardness varies somewhat but is approximately 250 to 300 parts per million (ppm) as calcium carbonate or 18 grains per gallon.

Is there any fluoride in the water? 
The District does not add any fluoride to its water supply. The water does contain a minor amount of naturally occurring fluoride at a concentration of about 0.2 ppm.

However, drinking water supplies for up to 18 million Southern Californians will be fluoridated after Metropolitan Water District's board of directors adopted in October of 2005 a policy that calls for the cavity-fighting agent to be added to its treatment processes.

Metropolitan estimates it will take about 30 months to supplement the trace amounts of naturally occurring fluoride in the district's imported source waters from the Colorado River and Northern California to levels promoted by the American Dental Association and national public health interests.

Why is their so much chlorine in the water? 
The California Department of Health Services requires water suppliers to maintain a disinfectant residual in all water being served for public health reasons such as the elimination of pathogenic viruses or bacteria. The District is required to maintain a 1.5 ppm minimum chlorine residual in its water distribution system. The District maintains this chlorine level at approximately 1.5 to 2.0 ppm but it varies somewhat by location and time of year. There are no potential harmful effects of drinking water with this chlorine level. If you are sensitive to its taste, a pitcher of tap water can be refrigerated for a few hours prior to its use. This will allow the chlorine to dissipate.

Why do we need to come into the office to start service? 
All new customers need to come into the office at 2700 Foothill Blvd. to fill out an application. A $100 deposit is required to initiate water & sewer service. The deposit is waived if the applicant is owner of the property to be served and provides proof of ownership such as a grant deed, property tax bill, real estate transaction closing statement, or other form acceptable to our customer service staff. All deposits will be refunded less outstanding charges upon termination of service.

Can I pay my bill with a credit card or electronic banking? 
The District's billing system is currently set up for online account management. You can use a checking account to pay your bill, however credit cards are not available at this time.

Why is my water bill so high? Did your rates increase? 
The water rates were last increased in February of 2008. Perhaps your consumption is higher for some reason. Please call our customer service staff at (818) 248-3925 and we will gladly investigate your high bill. We compare your recent water usage with historical data, check the meter, and assist with leak detection at your property. There may be some reason for recent high water consumption.  In addition, please check our Water Conservation Tips for more information.

Who do I call If I have a water or sewer emergency in the middle of the night? 
The District has personnel standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist customers with water and sewer emergencies. For any water or sewer related emergency, call the District office at (818) 248-3925 during normal business hours and at (818) 249-2185 after 5:00 pm and on weekends.

I need to make repairs to my plumbing or irrigation. How do I shut-off my water? 
The District recommends that all customers use their house (gate) valve to shut off the water supply to their home to make repairs. If you cannot locate your house (gate) valve or it is necessary to shut the water off at the water meter, call the District office (day or night) for a customer service representative to shut off the water at the meter. You can reach the District office at (818) 248-3925. Please note that a specialized tool is required to shut the water off at the meter. Attempting to turn the water off at the meter without this tool may result in damage to the mechanism and additional repair charges will be assessed.

Is my water safe to drink? 
Yes!! Consumers can expect that the water provided to them is safe, pure and healthful. The quality and safety of drinking water in the U.S. is regulated by the federal government through the Environmental Protection Agency. In California, those standards are enforced by the California Department of Health Services. Your water supply meets or exceeds all State and Federal Standards for drinking water quality. Water served by the District is a blend of local groundwater and water imported by the Foothill Municipal Water District & Metropolitan Water District of Southern California from the Colorado River and from Northern California. All water is tested, treated, and disinfected prior to pumping into our distribution system. This water is then stored in a series of closed reservoirs until it is consumed by the customer. The District regularly tests the water throughout the system to ensure quality. To convey the quality of the water, the District prepares an annual drinking water report (available on this website) which details each mineral and substance found in the water. This report is mailed annually to all current District customers. If you would like an additional copy, please contact our customer service department at (818) 248-3925.

Why does Crescenta Valley Water District let water run down the street? 
When old pipes are replaced or new ones are installed, the pipes must be disinfected with chlorine before they are connected into the District's system. After a day or two, water is flushed through the pipes to rinse out the chlorine before the pipes are put into use. In addition, the District regularly runs water through the system to flush lines where stagnant water can collect. This is done to assure high quality to our valued customers.

Can I make payment arrangements for my water bill? 
Yes. Customers that are having financial difficulty or receive a large water bill resulting from a water leak may establish payment arrangements with the District. Interest is not charged and terms are on a case by case basis. However, all payment arrangements must be in writing, agreed to and signed by the customer.

If I have a leak, who is responsible for repairing it? 
It depends on the location of the leak. If the leak on a waterline is located on any line after the water meter, it is the customers responsibility to have it repaired. If the leak is located at, or prior to, the water meter, it is the District's responsibility to repair it.

Am I responsible for condition of the plumbing system where it is connected to the District's meter? 
Yes, in fact the District from time to time will make improvements to its system by replacing older water service laterals and meters with new components. During the course of this work, if reconnection to the customer's plumbing is difficult or impossible due to its deteriorated condition, the customer will be responsible for making any necessary upgrades. The District will provide notification when this situation arises.

Why does everyone have to pay the FMWD Pass-through cost when 60% of the water is from groundwater and 40% is FMWD?  Shouldn't the people that use more water pay for the FMWD cost?

CVWD's water supply is a blend of local groundwater and imported water throughout the system.  All customers use blended water regardless of the amount of water used in a bi-monthly billing period.  The proposed Tier 2 or base rate is broken out at $1.90/unit and $2.63/unit, which is approximately a 60/40 ratio, groundwater to imported water.

The FMWD "Pass-Through Cost" water cost pays for the cost of imported water from FMWD. Also, by having the FMWD charge as a separate charge, it allows the District to adjust the FMWD rate in case of cost fluctuations due to additional charges from FMWD.

The local or CVWD costs pay for the groundwater, power, maintenance of the infrastructure, equipment and staff.

Why was the tier 3 top level changed from 60 units to 50 units?

The goal of the tier rate structure or conservation-oriented rates are intended to reduce water usage and encourage users to choose more efficient ways to meet their water needs. 

In 2009/10, CVWD saw a reduction in water demands through the community's water conservation effort.  To further encourage conservation, the upper Tier 3 level of 60 units was reduced to 50 units.

Does local or CVWD costs increase for customers who use water with the Tier 3 & 4 levels?

CVWD's overall costs to provide water to high end users increases because of additional demands on CVWD's source water, additional power costs and the distribution system. That is why CVWD encourages water conservation to use water wisely.

Utilities such as CVWD strive to recover the capital and operating expenses by developing rates based on cost of services.