Barstow partners with other cities to fight water rate increases

BARSTOW • The City of Barstow has joined forces with four California cities to oppose the more than 25 percent water rate increase proposed by Barstow’s primary water service.

Golden State Water Company filed an application last year requesting the California Public Utilities Commission approve raising service rates for Region 3 customers, including Barstow, from 2013 through 2015. The CPUC granted Golden State a similar increase just years ago, resulting in some Barstow customers paying significantly higher water bills.

Barstow and two other cities motioned Jan. 27 to request party status for the CPUC application hearings. This would give their testimony more weight, said CPUC Information Officer Andrew Kotch.

The city joined Claremont, Cypress, Placentia and Stanton to contract the services of Best, Best & Krieger, a Riverside-based law firm, the motion showed. The city shares the legal costs amounting to no more than $5,000, said City Manager Curt Mitchell.

Mitchell said with many still struggling in a difficult economy, any increase in payment can be devastating for families, especially such a significant increase.

“I think our council has made it clear, they want to do anything they can to minimize this impact,” Mitchell said.

Mayor Joe Gomez said the city has been working with the other cities for the past few months to strategize and share resources in the fight against the rate increase.

“It’s just a joint effort between the cities to empower the citizens and get the attention of Golden State Water and the CPUC,” Gomez said.

Golden State spokesperson John Dewey said the company welcomes cities to participate in the rate-setting hearings. He said the proposed rate increases would reflect the cost of providing service, maintaining infrastructure, and pursuing investments that would increase the quality of service to customers.

The CPUC will be holding hearings throughout the spring and summer in San Francisco before Administrative Law Judge Richard Smith publishes a decision in September. That decision must be approved by the commission, which will consider it in October.

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(760) 256-4123 or klucia@desertdispatch.com