Spring 2013 Volume 17, Issue 2

BULKY ITEMS:

New Sewer Cap | Improved Utility Billing | Rainy Season is Coming

No Water Shortage for SLO Water Customers

The City of San Luis Obispo is not threatened by the

drought conditions and imminent water shortages plagu-

ing many other communities statewide, even as we head

into the dry weather season.

That’s because about 25 years ago the community em-

barked on one of the most successful water conservation

campaigns in California, and at the same time diligently

pursued alternative water supplies to secure a reliable

water future.

As a result, the City has reduced water use to sustain-

able levels and completed the Nacimiento Reservoir

Supply and Recycled Water Projects, which added more

than 3,000 acre feet of water to the City’s water portfolio.

San Luis Obispo now has enough water to weather an

11-year drought. The combination of good planning and a

strong community commitment created a unique balance

of water efficiency and water supply, which is the excep-

tion, not the rule, in California.

HIGHLIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE:Spring Cleaning | Water, Sewer Rate Changes | Spring Irrigation Tips

SPRING CLEANING WAS NEVER SO EASYSPRING CLEANUP WEEK: JUNE 17-21

Nothing feels better than shedding junk or unused items from your home. So start planning now and prepare for Spring Cleanup Week, June 17 to 21.

During Spring Cleanup Week, San Luis Garbage Company picks up additional items on your regular trash and recy-cling day. Look for more information in the coming weeks.

Remember, either 12 standard trashcans (32 gallons each) or the equivalent in other containers, or 12 bundles, each four feet or less in length and 75 pounds or less in weight, are allowed during the special pick up.

Special prices for bulky items are valid during Cleanup Week. Additional items must be on the curb to qualify for these spe-cial prices, and you must schedule the pickup in advance.

Please call (805) 543-0875 two days before collection day to schedule the pickup.

Bulky items can be picked up during cleanup week for only $10 each. This includes:

Televisions • Water Heaters Couches • Washers • Dryers

Small Appliances • Chairs Box Springs • Mattresses Refrigerators • Overstuffed Chairs • Metal Items • Passenger Car Tires (no more than four)

The City of San Luis Obispo is recommending changes to the water and sewer rates as well as the Water Rate Structure in order to account for rising costs, replace aging infrastructure and continue to provide high quality service.

By now, every water and sewer customer should have received the Proposition 218 (Prop. 218) notice in the mail, which was delivered in April 2013. This notificationincludedinformationabouttheproposedwater and sewer rate increase as well as the Water Rate Structure change. These proposed changes require Prop. 218 approval.

Raising rates is never easy, and the City staff and City Council take this task very seriously. Please take the time to read the Prop. 218 notice and understand why the costs for these essential services are rising.

WHY THE CHANGE?

There are some costs the City can’t control, such as electricity rates and chemical costs associated with treating drinking water and wastewater to meet regulations; they are expensive, but necessary, and contribute to the need for rate increases.

The City’s proposed water and sewer rate increases will be used to:

• Support the City’s multi-source water supply

• Support ongoing operations and maintenance of the water and wastewater systems

• Cover the costs of debt payments associated with replacing expensive but important pieces of the water and wastewater systems

• Fund required upgrades to the Water Reclamation Facility

• Fund upcoming repairs to the wastewater collection system

Current Rate Structure

Residential Non-Residential

Base Fee (minimum charge) $0.00 $0.00

Volume Charges

0–5 units $6.25/unit $6.25/unit

6–25 units/6+ for non-residential $7.82/unit $7.82/unit

26+ units residential $9.80/unit

Proposed Rate Structure

July 1,2013 July 1,2014

Base Fee (minimum charge) $5.00 $5.28

Volume Charges

0–8 units $6.56/unit $6.92/unit

9+ units $8.20/unit $8.65/unit

Proposed Rate Increases

July 1,2013 July 1,2014

Water 7.5% 5.5%

Sewer 4.0% 3.0%

CITY PROPOSES WATER, SEWER RATE CHANGES

NEW WATER RATE STRUCTURE UP FOR APPROVAL

As reported in the last Resource newsletter, the City Council completed an in-depth study on how the City charges for water service. The purpose of the study was to review the current rate structure and explore alternatives to ensure that the community’s goals, objectives and expectations are being met.

As a result of the study, City staff recommends a rate structure that has a base fee of $5 and two tiers for all customer classes (see tables below).

The public hearing to consider these changes will be held on June 12, 2013 at 5 p.m. at the Council Chambers located at 990 Palm Street. More information regarding the water rate structure change can also be found in the Prop. 218 notice.

Have Questions? Extendedofficehoursandonlineassistanceareavailable.Talkwithusabout your water and sewer service, the proposed rate increases or the proposed water rate structure. It will be an informal, one-on-one meeting.

UtilitiesDepartmentofficesarelocatedat879MorroSt.

No appointment is needed; just drop in at your convenience any time before 6 p.m. on any of the following days.

May 14 • May 21 • May 28 • June 4

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The City is moving into the new age of water meter technology to enhance accuracy and improve service.

Older water meters use a series of moving parts that wear out over time and actually slow down, which means they do not register all of the water passing through the device. The new meters use electromagneticflowmeasurementtechnology,which eliminates the wear and tear and enhances the accuracy of the meter. The design also allows for increasedwaterflowtoyourhomeorbusiness.Thiswill improve your water pressure during times when you are using higher volumes of water, such as when you are irrigating.

This new technology also has the ability to register and retain customer water use information on an hourly basis, which will help customers experiencing high water use problems. A special handheld device can retrieve this information, and City staff can then download the data and analyze it to help pinpoint problems either in the indoor plumbing system or with their outdoor irrigation.

To date, about 150 of the new water meters have been installed with a goal to replace approximately 400 to 500 meters each year.

Spring Irrigation TipSMART WAYS FOR WATER EFFICIENCY AND IMPROVED WATER QUALITY

The most effective way to keep water bills down is to check for leaks in your irrigation system and to follow a reliable irrigation schedule. (See Suggested Spring/Summer Lawn Irrigation Guide.)

Irrigation overspray and runoff not only cost you money, but are some of the leading causes of water pollution during the dry season. A lot can happen to your irrigation system during the winter season while your system has been shut down. So spring is the perfect time to check for leaks.

Based on an average system, we suggest dividing the watering time into three or four watering days. Be sure to monitor watering to avoid runoff. If water runoff occurs, use multiple start times a day to allow your soil to soak up the water.

For more information, please call (805) 781-7217.

CITY INSTALLS ADVANCED WATER METER TECHNOLOGY

Month Irrigation Minutes per Week

May 45 minutes/week

June 60 minutes/week

July 60 minutes/week

August 60 minutes/week

SPRING/SUMMER LAWN IRRIGATION GUIDE

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UTILITIES DEPARTMENT879 Morro StreetSan Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Designed by: Verdin Printed on recycled paper

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Are you on Facebook? So are we! Like us at www.facebook.com/ SLOUtilitiesDepartment to get news about the latest water projects, money-saving tips, interesting facts about your water and sewer utility, and much more.

General Plan Update: JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EVENT

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

WE WANT YOUR INPUTONLINE SURVEY AVAILABLE

We need your valuable input. You are our customers and it’s important for us to reach out and get feedback from you. Please fill out a short online survey to help us better under-stand your views on the City’s water and sewer services and how we can better commu-nicate important information regarding upcoming projects.

Take the survey online at www.slowater.org.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Water and Sewer Problems8 a.m. to 5 p.m.(805) 781-7220

After Hours and Weekends(805) 781-7312

The City of San Luis Obispo will meet in June at the City/County Library to talk about potential areas of change to shape San Luis Obispo’s future, including:

• Infillsites

• Future of downtown

• Circulation for bicycles, pedestrians and vehicles

• Where future growth should occur

Join us on June 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. to share your ideas and learn more about the General Plan Update.

THE SLO LAND USE & CIRCULATION UPDATE

Saturday, June 1, 1 - 4 p.m.San Luis Obispo City/County Library995 Palm St., San Luis Obispo, CA