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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 12111990 - WC.1 WC-1 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: WATER COMMITTEE < Costa SUPERVISOR SUNNE MCPEAK � „,.� , SUPERVISOR TOM TORLAKSON °'s U� ��)/ r� w DATE: DECEMBER 5, 1990 SUBJECT: WEST PITTSBUR61WATER SYSTEM SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Authorize Chair to sign a letter to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) , and California Cities Water (Cal Cities) , requesting that the October 12, 1990 rate increase be dedicated to water main replacement, other infrastructure improvements and operation improvements, and request that a bond issue option be considered by Cal Cities to facilitate and expedite installation of infrastructure improvement. 2 . Direct the Water Committee to explore Cal Cities Water Co. pipe filter backwashing and system flushing program and the possibility of shifting times of flushing and backwashing to periods causing less impact to customers, such as between 12 : 00am and 4: 00am. 3 . Authorize the Community Development Department to work with Cal Cities 'Water Company on an ongoing customer outreach program including an accessible, . workable information and complaints phone number and response system, and development of a customer survey on service and quality. 4. Authorize chair to sign a letter requesting the PUC to list Contra Costa County, the West Pittsburg Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) , and the West Pittsburg Project Area Committee (PAC) , as parties of interest to be notified and involved in any future rate increase requests; request also ,' that any future rate increases go through the hearing process, however minor the increase. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER • ""� --.--, Com,^ SIGNATURE(S) : IX ACTION OF BOARD ON DEC 11 Mu APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _ OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Orig: Community Development Department ATTESTED DEC 11 1990 cc: County Administrator Office PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF County Counsel THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County Redevelopment Agency AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Health Services Department - Environmental Health BY , DEPUTY Public Works — Road Engineering RG/ wa:WPit-H20.bo West Pittsburg Water System Continued - Page Two 5. Direct the Community Development Department to contact the State Health Department regarding other operations concerns, (i.e. PH problems, charcoal, odor and color) , and request a review of Cal Cities Staffing, level of training and operational procedures. 6. Direct the Community Development to pursue an analysis of the Cal Cities 5-year plan and explore options for improving water quality. 7. Authorize Chair to sign letters to the State legislative delegation regarding County concerns with water quality and requesting their aid in communication with the PUC and the State Health Department. 8. Direct Public Works and the Community Development Department to determine if there is a possibility that the County, CALTRANS andNCal Cities can begin immediate construction of a new pumping and treatment plant if it is determined to be necessary as„ part of the Highway 4/Bailey Road/BART expansion project. i FISCAL IMPACT r No direct financial impact to the County other than the commitment of considerable staff time to this project. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS 1. California Cities Water Company (Cal Cities) , a subsidiary of privately-owned Southern California Water Company, provides treated water to the West Pittsburg area of the County. The Southern California Water Co. applied to the Public Utilities Commission (per advice letter 814-w) for a rate increase to cover additional costs of water from the Contra Costa Water District, and a budgetary increase in Balance Account amortization';. of funds. The Balancing Account is a mechanism by which water i supply expense increases are tracked. After a threshold amount of additional expenses have accrued, a rate increase application to the PUC is allowed (Susan Conway, So. Cal. Water) . This increase was approved,. and.went into effect on October 12, 1990. Customer complaints regarding water quality have generally been linked '' to inadequate infrastructure and operational practices. Therefore, the Water Committee recommends that the most appropriate use for the rate increase would be for water main replacement and other infrastructure and operational improvements'. Although improvements have been made in some areas, the Water Committee recommends a more aggressive effort in order to correct water quality problems as they relate to inadequate infrastructure. To this end, the Water Committee also requests that a bond issue be considered by the water company as almeans to complete pending improvements. 2. Cal Cities Water Company routinely flushes water lines once every three months, according to Superintendent Dick Leonard. Lines are flushed however, during regular working hours, causing extreme inconvenience to customers when brown and grey water emerges from water taps. The Water Committee recommends that flushing programs take place during late night hours to minimize inconvenience. 3 . A Cal Cities outreach program which provides a response to customer concerns within a reasonable time period would be an important first step in improvement of relations with customers. At this time, water company customers feel their concerns are� not being addressed by Cal Cities or the parent company Southern California Water. In addition, a newsletter or other pamphlet could advise customers of coming activities, flushing schedules etc. West Pittsburg Water System Continued - Page Three 4. The above-mentioned rate increase went into effect without comment from the County, as the County apparently had not previously requested to be listed as a party of interest, and therefore was not notified prior to the time the rate increase went into effect. As no hearings were required by the PUC for minor rate "increases, there was no mechanism in place to initiate County involvement. 5. Monitoring of Cal Cities operations and water quality would be necessary in order to determine if State Health Standards are being violated. Whether or not a violation exists, some oversight by State Health could result in an improvement of water quality standards through examination of current Cal Cities operational practices and suggested or required infrastructure improvements. 6. An analysis of the Cal Cities 5-year plan and other documentation is necessary in order to determine what infrastructure improvements have been completed, what is scheduled as,: part of the 5-year plan and what problems remain. The County 'can then make specific recommendations to Cal Cities and relevant agencies as to specific suggested measures in order to "maintain water quality at a reasonable level. 7. The Water Committee recommends that the legislative delegation be informed of the water quality problems, and enlist their aid in dealing with the PUC and State Health Department regarding this issue. 8. A new pumping and treatment plant is proposed as an alternativei�las an existing plant may be demolished during expansion of the Highway 4/Bailey Road interchange/BART expansion. A new plant, together with necessary distribution system improvements due to relocation will result in significant '"Water quality improvements to the water system if this option'` is selected. The water committee recommends expediting plans for the new facility or other alternative if possible. RG/ wa:WPit-H20.bo i V. SQ,I%CA4�,. i { SOIU'z'HERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMP N�tY 630 CA-IT eOOV"t.t„01-V*••"SAN LIMAS.t:At,i/Of."NiA p.773.471-1 30-. 4500 • FAX(71-) 32--07-- August 24, 1990 s Advice Letter No. 814-W (U .133 W) California Publiq Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, California 94202 Gentlemen: Southern California Water Company hereby transmit for filing tariff sheets apP�licable to its Bay District. ancell.ing UAUC Sheet No. Title of Sheet C C -Sheet NO,- Rate Schedules. Revised No. 3313-W General Metered Service Revise Nca. 3273-W Bay District Schedule No. BY-1. Revised No. 3324--W Table of Contents Revised No. 331.1-W (Continued) Revised. No. 3315-W Table of Contents Revise No. 331,2-W These tariffs are submitted pursuant to the portion f Section VY of General Order No. 96-A which provides, "in cases where the proposed increases are minor in nature, the Commissi n may accept a showing in the'' advice letter provided justificat on is fully set forth therein without the necessity of a formal pplication" . The purpose of this filing is to offset the increase in the cost of water purchased from Contra Costa Water District if $0 . 4309 to $0. 5952 per Ccf. In addition, 'it is requested that; the current amortization of $0. 0616 be increased to $0. 0878 per Ccf to amortize the balance of the Balancing Account as of une 30 , 11.990 of $ 273 , 1340 over ' a thirty six-month period. Including uncollectibles and franchise fees, the pro, osed supply increase is $227, 309 or 12 . 26% of adopted gross rave ues. RECEIVE[? AIM 3 `o 1990 Advice Letter No. 814-W uqust 24 , 1990 Copies of detailed workpapers supporting these calculations, including the recorded and pro-forma Summary ary of Z rning for June 30, 1990., have been furnished to the Staff for the r review. Enclosed workpapers show that the recorded rate ofIreturn on Rate Base for twelve months ended June 30, 1990 was 10)42%, while the proforma rate of return for the same period was 12 .00%. The authorized rate of return on Rate Base for this District is 10. 92% for 1990. Adjusting for timing disparity, ,the comparable authorized rate of return is 12 . 18%. The increases are requested to be applied to the 'lantity charge' s only. It is further requested that these tariffs become effective as soon as possible. No individuals or utilities have requested notification of filing of tariffs. Distribution of this tariff filing is being made according to General Order 96-A, Section 111-G. We have given public notice of this request by publishing a notije in the local newspaper. A copy of the article is attached. Customers may communicate with the Commission oncerninq the proposed increase within 20 days of the date of ihis filing by writing to the Commission, referring to Southern California Water Company' s Advice Letter No. 814-W. A copy should bei mailed to the Company, commission: Company: ' Advisory and Compliance Division Southern Calif. Water Co. Water Utilities Branch Attention: Susan L. Conway Calif. Public Utilities Commission 630 E. Foothfill Blvd. 505 Van Ness Avenue San Dimas, C 91773 San Francisco, CA 94102 Very Truly Yours, Susan L. Conway Manager, Regulatory Affairs SLC/HTP/car Enclosures -------------- ----------- --------- -------------------- ------------------ - -- -- - - - - - - ----- - - --- - - -- - t7i SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY RevlsEo al, P.U.C. Sheet No. 3313-w 630 E. FOOTHILL BLVD. P.O. SOX 9016 SAN DIMAS, CALIFORNIA 91773-9016 Cancelling aEvtsEo a1. p.U,C. Sheet NO. 3273u $Chedulg No. 8'f-1 gay DistriGr GENERA. METERED sERY NC Apptiesbte to alt metered water service. iERRt NY Portions of the City of Pittsburg and vicinity, Contra Costa county. RATES Per Meter Per Month ouantity Rarest For att water detivered, per 100 cu. ft. ........................... 1.3406 {11 Service Charge-. For 5/8 X 3J4-inch meter........................................... S 8.20 For3!4-inch meter...........................................t 11,20 for1-inch meter........................................... 16.50 For, 1-1/2-inch meter......................................... 19.20 For 2-inch meter.............I............................. 28.00 For 3-inch meter........................................... 58,00 For 4-inch meter........................................... 72.00 For 6-inch meter............................................ 142.00 for 8-inch meter.......................................... 204.00 I The service charge is a readiness-to-serve charge appticobte cc alt metered service and to which is added the charge for water usel cornuted at the ouantity Rates. i } SPECIAL CCNOjTtCN !� 1. Due to the under cotlection in the balancing account, an amount of s0I0873 per Ccf, is to (T) be added to the quantity rates as shown above until thirty-six months from theteffective date of tt} Advice letter No. 814-w to amortize the under cottection. ++� (T) t 2. All buts are subject to the reimbursement fee set forth on Schedute Qo. UF. I i I { t 4 ISSUED BY Oate Filed J Advice Letter No. 814•v ; EffectiveF. E. WICKS j� 1 ! SOUTHESN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY REVISED �ai. P.U.C. Sheet No. 3314-11 630 E. FOOTHILL BLVD. P.O. BOX 9016 REVISED SED 331 t'u SAN DIMAS, CALiFtJFNIA 91773.9016, Cancelling i1ai. P.U.C. Sheet No. Page 2 of 4 i TABLE OF CDi1/CNTs t Cont i rxied) Schedule CPUC SgbI4 at Natter of Sheet N+srber S4S-�Qi i r Rate Schedulest y AU Districts utility Fee - 1-1/2 X Surcharge OF original Private fire service AA-4 3284-4►�32$S-W Public Fire Service AA-5 2931.W Construction and Temporary Service M-9 2243-i+ Service to Coq any EiVtoyees AA-10 2932•W tax Reform Act Or 19$6 Refund Surcredit TRA-1 ,. 3310•W Arden•COrdOva District General Metered Service AC-i 320-W Flat Rate Service AC-2 3290-W i Barstow District 6A-1 3258 W General Metered Service Bay District General Metered Service SY-1 3313-W (T) " Calipatria-Niland District General Metered Service 04-1 3274•W flat Rate Service CN-2 3275•W CteafkakB District cenerat Metered Service CL-1 3278-W Desert District General Metered Service Morongo valley 6E}t•i 3303-W Victorviile DEV-1 3345•W Nautage Fiat Rata Service-Morongo GEM-2N 3304`W Service Camection Fees Morongo Valley DE74•SC 3306-W vicrorvitle DEY'SC 3307-U LOS DSOs DistriCt Generat Metered Service C0-1 32$9•W Ketropolitan Oistrict General Metered Service ME-1 3267-W Fiat Rate Service ME-2 Ojai District General Metered Service 04-1 3742 ++ Special irrigation Metered Service 0J-3M 3203-W Public Perk Metered Service OJ-7ML 3204•W Orange County Ois(rict i General Metered Service OC-1 3277-W i Cenerat Metered Service-Cowan Meights OCN-1 3278-W Measured Irrigation Service OC-3M 3279 W,Z$44•W I (Continued) ISSUED BY Gate Filed _ $14•W Advice letter No. r WICKS ElSecth�9 � u SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY aEv:sFa C�i. RUC, Sheet No. 3315-w 630 E. FOOTHILL BLVD. P.O. BOX 9016 REVISED i3312-u SAN DIMAS, CALIFORNIA 91773-9016 Cancelling C" I, P.U.C. Sheet No. I Page t of 4 TABLE OR CONTENT'S r The following tariff sheets contain at( effective rates and rules affecting Ites and service of the utility, together with information relating theretos Sub#eC MCLLQf ?f Shtttshett 40, Title Pape 294i•w table of Contents' 331 mow, 3314-u, 3286-w, 3381-w (T) Preliminary Statem nts 3251-w, 13 -w, 3140-w, 3141-w, 3142-w Tariff Arta Naps: All Tariff Areas 1073-w Arden-Cordova { 3051-w Barstow 2728-w Bay 2963-w CatiDstTiB'Nfland 2730-w Ctesriake 2731-w Desert Morongo Valley 2733-w Vlctorvilte , 2831-w Los OSOS 2735-u Metropolitan Artesia•Nor,Nalk i 2736-w 8etl-Florence # 2939-w Culver City 1 2738-w Gardena East 2739-w Southwest 2740-w Ojai 2741-u; 2344-W Orange County Cowan NeI4ht4 2702-w Cypress-Les Atamitos-Stanton 11; 2704-w Placentia-Yorba Linda I 2967-w Pomona Valley 2705-w San Dimas 3158-w San Gabriel valley } 2707-w r Santa Marie Lake Marie-Orcutt-Sisquoc-Tanglewood 2935-w vista 4 3037.11 Simi valley 2743'u urightwood7710-w i I (Continued) Date Filed 814-w ISSUED BY AdVICe Letter No. Effecttvo F. E. WICKS F' :r BAY 127TRICT }p City of Brentwood 748 Third Street Erantwad, CA 94533 City of Antioch Third & H Strut Antioch, CA 94509 City of Oakley Water District 278 Main Stree Oakley, CA 94563 I f Contra Costa Water District f P. 0. Box Fit 0 Concord, CA 94520 t East Bay Municipal Utilities District- 2127 istrict2127 Adeline St. Oakland, CA 94623 City of Martinez 525 Henrietta Avenue Martinez, CA 94553 i City of Pittsburg 2020 Railroad Avenua Pittsburg, CA 94565 i I(i( 1