Deferred water rate increases to be enacted

New water rates that had been deferred by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors are scheduled to take effect on Thursday. Almost all of Canyon Lake’s residences receive water from EVMWD and will see increases in their bills.

“Knowing the hardships that many of our customers are experiencing as a result of COVID-19, the Board had deferred the start date of the new rates from July 1 to Jan. 1 and then to April 1,” EVMWD said in a newsletter to its customers. “The district cannot, however, continue to dip into reserves or further delay capital projects that are critical for providing reliable water service.”

The rates and charges customers pay for water cover the cost of providing service, including regular water system maintenance and replacement of aging pipes, treatment, electricity, imported water and capital improvements, the district said. Many of those expenses have increased and the deferral of new rates has created a half of a million dollar deficit for the district.

To adjust for that lost revenue, EVMWD has been trimming operating expenses and using reserve funds.

The district said it saved money over the deferred period of time through staff cutbacks, reducing benefits, optimizing technology, pursuing $30 million for new hires in project grants and obtaining low-interest loans.

The rate adjustment is the second of a two-year schedule of changes approved by the Board in 2019, following two public hearings. Tiered rates will increase, as will the Fixed Monthly Service Charges and Fire Line Charges, for both the Elsinore and Temescal divisions. Sewer rates will not change.