Q: What’s the issue?
A: The State of California is requiring the installation of water meters on all homes built after 1992. To comply, the City of Ceres is legally required to install water meters in homes that currently do not have one. The meters will be installed in 2010. This work will be performed by trained professionals on a rotated schedule by neighborhood, with minimal inconvenience to residents. Over the next several months, the community will be kept informed of the project, with ample opportunity to ask questions, be informed of the schedule, and get more information.
Q: Why is the State requiring that water meters be installed?
A: As you know, California has been stricken with a severe drought over the past two years, affecting our state and Valley agricultural economies, among other devastating affects. The State regulates water usage.
The State regulations are designed to allow consumers to monitor their own water use. This encourages people to conserve water while paying only for water actually used, and not paying a flat rate. In this tough economy, this can save you money.
Q: Is this program intended to increase water rates?
A: NO. Water meter installation is NOT designed to increase your water rates, our program is designed to be “revenue-neutral.” It is illegal for a public agency to use profits from water to pay for any other services and we do not anticipate obtaining any additional revenue from this change. Many consumers will actually pay less than current flat water rates, while others who use a lot of water, could pay more.
Q: But water rates are increasing over the next several years, correct?
A: Yes. Through sound fiscal management and cost cutting, the City has been able to maintain the lowest water rates in our region. However, like other cities, we have been implementing mandatory improvements to our water and sewer systems, including installing new wells. These improvements prevent contaminants from getting into our drinking water to maintain our community’s health and safety. The water meter installation program is only one of several requirements that cities like ours are complying with to improve water capacity, safety/cleanliness, and conservation.
Q: How will I know whether I need a meter?
A: Most homes in Ceres will need to have a meter installed, as only the newest homes in Ceres currently have meters. Water meter installation will make the water billing system fair for all consumers – it is not fair that new homes who have water meters can be able to vary their water usage and bill, while others are forced to pay a flat rate.
Q: If I need one, how and when will my meter be installed?
A: We will be providing detailed information about the date and time of your installation as that time approaches. We are only in the very preliminary stages of planning, and an engineering survey needs to be completed first to identify the homes that need meters. However, all residents will be notified with ample opportunity to ask questions and get additional information.
Q: Will this require entry into my home or on my property?
A: There will be NO disruption to residents. It will NOT be necessary to enter your home. In most cases, the water meter can easily be installed on the side or in the front sidewalk of your home and will only require the water to be shutoff for approximately 5 minutes.
Q: How does metered billing work?
A: Every consumer will pay a basic maintenance fee, lower than our current flat rate, and then an additional charge for every 100 gallons over the basic amount covered by that fee. Many consumers will see their bill decrease as you are only billed for what you actually use. Most importantly, this system allows all consumers to monitor their own water use and save/conserve water, which is an important thing to do particularly during a drought.
Q: Do consumers really conserve water under this system?
A: Yes! Studies have shown that usage decreases by as much as 25% when people pay for water by usage versus a flat fee. A 20% Citywide decrease in water consumption is the equivalent of 2-3 wells.
Q: Can I just refuse water meter installation?
A: Unfortunately, no. Since this is a legal State requirement, the City of Ceres has no choice but to comply. To our knowledge, no cities have refused to comply, and all of our neighboring cities have already complied – we are the last in the County. If the City of Ceres refused to comply, our community would be at the mercy of State bureaucrats who could take over our water system and do it themselves – an outcome that none of us want.
Q: Are we the only City going through this process?
A: NO. In fact, Ceres is one of the last cities in our region to install water meters. Hughson, Oakdale, Turlock, Riverbank, Newman, Patterson and Tracy have already completed the metering process and Manteca and Modesto are in the process of doing so.
Q: Didn’t the City recently raise water rates?
A: Yes, rates were increased in order to pay for the proper care and maintenance of our water supply. The one-time expense of the switch to meters is included in the current rate structure.
Q: What happens to Mobile Home Parks and Apartment Complexes?
A: We will be installing one single meter per site, for most apartment buildings and Mobile Home Parks – not every resident will have their own meter.
Q: Who do I contact with additional questions?
A: Please feel free to email or call:
Jeremy Damas, Water System Superintendent at (209) 538-5717.
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