Mesa water rates dip slightly

Deirdre Newman

After seeing their monthly bills jump an average of $1.44 in July,

residents will now see their bills dip by about 32 cents a month.

A domino effect enabled the Mesa Consolidated Water District to

reduce its rates from 15 cents per billing unit to 13 cents per

billing unit.

The district’s board of directors approved the reduction last

week, based on Southern California Edison reducing its electric rates

in August.

“We’re very happy that we can pass these savings along to our

customers,” said Amanda Gavin, the district’s public information

coordinator.

Southern California Edison reduced its rates based on its forecast

of complete recovery during July of uncollected power procurement

costs incurred on behalf of its customers during the California

energy crisis.

After analyzing the effect of the electric rate reduction on the

water rates, the district’s board decided to pass the lower costs

onto its customers.

Resident Geoff West said the new rate would have saved him $1.10

on his last bill out of a total of $105.50 for 41,140 gallons of water. West said Cosa Mesa residents have it pretty good as far as

water rates are concerned.

“In California water continues to be a very serious issue -- one

that should be taken as such by all users,” West said. “However, the

rates we pay -- roughly a quarter of a cent per gallon -- is still a

darn good deal.”

And resident Robert Graham embraced the drop the same way he would

embrace a Republican in the governor’s office.

“That’s good,” Graham said. “The only other thing going down this

month is Gray Davis.”

The new rates take effect today.