Main Replacement Program |
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| Long Term Water Plan |
| Over the last decade, Montecito
Water District developed reliable water supplies and built advanced treatment plants to
improve water quality. With these challenges
resolved, the District is now upgrading its water distribution system, much of which is
over half a century old and requires major repairs and replacements. top |
| Favorable Interest Rate |
| To pay for the many needed
upgrades, the District in 1998 approved a $13.5 million bond borrowing at an exceptionally
low rate of 5.24%. These funds will be used only for capital programs including system
upgrades and replacements. This long term financing avoids substantial rate increases and
ensures the availability of funding necessary for efficient planning. The water system
improvements paid for by the financing will provide service for many decades. It is
appropriate to pay for these upgrades over time so that current customers pay for benefits
received now, and tomorrow's customers pay their share of future use. top |
| Many Needed Projects |
Much of the water system requires
significant upgrade and repair. Some of the most urgently needed projects include:
- Replace 20 miles of old and worn pipelines
- Add high-capacity fire hydrants
- Install new pump stations to increase water pressure and
reliability
- Cover Ortega Reservoir to meet water quality mandates
- Participate in seismic upgrade of the dam at Lake Cachuma
top
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| Goal: Meet Water Needs at a Fair Cost |
| With reliable water supplies now
in place, including state of the art modern new water treatment plants, the District is
continuing its long tradition of meeting customer water needs at a fair price through its
new water distribution system improvement program. A
key source of funds to pay for water distribution system upgrades continues to be the
water availability charge which is an annual assessment of $30 per acre for the first five
acres or fraction of an acre. A sliding scale formula is used for larger lots and
agricultural and recreational parcels. The assessment is collected by the County along
with property taxes as a Water Availability Charge, and is used exclusively to finance
water system improvements.
California law requires that the Water Availability Charge
be renewed each year. The assessment amount has remained stable over the last two years
since it was initiated, and no change in the Assessment was established for the coming
year. A written report containing a description of each parcel of real property in the
District and the amount of the assessment for each parcel for the year is on file and is
available for review at the District Office. top |
©1998 Montecito Water District
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