"It puts more control in the hands of the customers," Jewett said, reprising his written report.
The study was ordered to ensure that the district was charging enough to cover its expenses and that rates were set based on the service provided, as required by Proposition 218.
Proposition 218 also requires the district to notify all customers of proposed increases and provide a 45-day period for them to submit written or oral protests before or at a public meeting.
As of Tuesday, 13 protests were submitted from a customer base of about 7,500 households. Emerald Bay is also serviced by the district.
Resident Ganka Brown opined that the Tier Two rate is not high enough to deter excessive use.
"I have heard people say they don't care — they can afford it," Brown said.
She suggested the district post signs reading "WASTER" on the properties of people who carelessly exceed the Tier One allotment.
"I have a list," Brown said.
Some districts have a third and fourth tier, which runs $8 to $10 a unit, Jewett said.
"Call us if you see waste," Regan said. "We will be happy to get out there."
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Desalinization project
Wasted water translates into higher rates needed to pay for the costly imported water without which the city would run dry. Laguna imports 100% of all of its water — one reason the district is participating with other districts in a pilot desalinization project.
Egly announced at the Oct. 5 council meeting that a tour of the pilot project at Doheny Beach will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 17. For more information, call (494) 499-4555, ext. 3152.
Desalinization is seen as a renewable source of water. Cheaper would also be good.
"We do everything we can to keep the rates down," Hinchey said.
Staff size has not increased in the 10 years Hinchey has been at the helm of the district. There is a hiring freeze, vacated positions have not been filled and employees are sharing in the costs of benefits.
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Water Expo held
The district has also assigned two staff members to educate the public and in September hosted Smartscape Info Expo for the public to learn more about smart outdoor water use.
Expo participants included the California Landscape Contractors Association, Ewing Irrigation Products, Hunter Industries, Rain Bird, Toro Irrigation, Home Depot, Tree of Life Nursery, A Native Garden Design Inc., California Native Plant Society, Laguna Koi Ponds and Back Nine Green.
