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Proposed water rate increase would affect most Citrus Heights residents

Updated Oct. 26, 9:19 a.m.–
A public hearing at the Rusch Park Community Center has been set for Nov. 17, in light of a proposed water rate increase that would affect most Citrus Heights water users.

In a recent mailer to customers, the Citrus Heights Water District said the rate increase is necessary to replace old water mains, continue development of its groundwater well system, and to begin replacing older water meters with ones able to provide “timely water use data to customers.”

If approved, water use rates would rise about 10 cents per unit, bringing the base rate up to 87 cents per 748 gallons, the District mailer shows. Service charge rates would also increase, making a typical customer’s bi-monthly bill rise by a total of about $12 under the proposal, according to the CHWD web site.

A prior three percent rate increase was passed last November, along with approval of a new water shortage pricing structure that allows temporary enactment of higher rates during water crises. The District’s board later voted to enact a 25 percent temporary rate increase in conjunction with a “Stage 4 Water Warning” declaration that came into effect on July 15 of this year. According to a statement on the District’s web site, the board will consider discontinuing the temporary rate increase, as part of the current proposal.

[From May: CHWD declares stage 4 water crisis; will hire ‘water police’]

CHWD Assistant General Manager Hilary Straus said the 30-employee District faces a difficult challenge to show ratepayers the need for capital investment in the District’s water delivery infrastructure, since much of the underground systems can’t be seen by customers. Citing an underground water main break that flooded part of UCLA and spewed millions of gallons of water 30 feet in the air last summer, Straus said the local District seeks to be proactive in repairing and replacing aging water mains to avoid similar “catastrophic failures and disruptions to service.”

Last December, a water main under Mariposa Avenue near Antelope Road broke overnight, causing the street to be closed down for most of the day while water district crews repaired the break. At least 26 water mains have broken in the District so far in 2015, according the the District’s mailer, but that number is down from a reported 86 breaks in 2001. Straus said the drop is due to recent investment in infrastructure.

Straus said the District has focused attention on educational outreach, beginning with the initial mailer about the proposal and continuing with question-and-answer Powerpoint presentations at various neighborhood and club meetings. The District is scheduled to make presentations next week at both Neighborhood Area 6 and area 10 meetings.

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About a third of Citrus Heights residents are served by neighboring water districts and will not face the proposed rate increase, due to water district service areas differing from city boundaries.

The upcoming hearing is scheduled to take place at 7810 Auburn Blvd. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 6:30 p.m. In accordance with Prop 218, written protests can be mailed to the CHWD secretary, at P.O. Box 286, Citrus Heights, CA 95611.

*Note: This is the first in a series of articles about water use in Citrus Heights and proposed water rate increases.

October 22, 2015
Citrus Heights Water District: customers reduced use by 40%

Updated Oct. 9, 11:23 p.m.–
Citrus Heights water users have succeeded in beating state-mandated conservation goals through the hot summer months, reporting an average 40 percent drop in water consumption for June, July and August, according to a local water official.

“We’re exceeding our goal, so we’re pleased,” said Hilary Straus, assistant general manager for the Citrus Heights Water District. “We just thank our customers and encourage them to keep up the good work.”

Straus said the District has not issued any fines for water waste so far, operating with a “red carpet, not red tape” approach that focuses on education and outreach in order to achieve compliance with the state’s 32 percent conservation requirement for CHWD.

A state water conservation report released last week showed an average 28.7 percent drop in water use across the state over the summer. The report, compiled by the State Water Resources Control Board, included conservation numbers from water districts through the month of August — comparing water use with 2013 figures.

The next report, which will include September figures, is expected to be released at the end of this month.

Note: Check back next week for a follow-up story on indoor water saving tips and a proposed water rate increase for CHWD customers
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October 8, 2015
Citrus Heights News Briefs: Oct. 1- Oct. 3

Two boys watch as smoke rises from a railroad car that caught fire Friday afternoon near the Citrus Heights border with Roseville. // CHSentinel

Updated Oct. 4, 2:33 p.m.–
October in Citrus Heights kicked off with a new report on water conservation for local users, smokey skies from a nearby rail yard fire and thousands of dollars raised at a local veterans fundraiser.

Oct. 1: Citrus Heights Water District reports 40% drop in usage for August

A state-mandated water conservation report released Thursday showed an average 27 percent drop in water use statewide, while Citrus Heights Water District users topped that number with a reported 40 percent drop in use. The latest report, compiled by the State Water Resources Control Board, showed conservation numbers from water districts across the state for the month of August — comparing water use with 2013 figures. CHWD reported similarly high conservation figures in July, showing a 42 percent drop in water use. (See full story next week.)

Oct. 2: Rail yard fire sends smoke over Citrus Heights homes

Union Pacific confirmed a “small fire” occurred around 4:10 p.m. at the railroad company’s J.R. Davis yard, located just over the border of Citrus Heights in Roseville, according to UP spokesman Francisco Castillo. The fire spread smoke and strong odors as far as Interstate 80 in Citrus Heights, but was extinguished within about 30 minutes with the help of Sac Metro firefighters, according to Castillo. The UP spokesman said the fire was contained to one gondola car loaded with wooden railroad ties that caught fire from sparks created while crews were making repairs. No injuries were reported.

Oct. 3: Veterans fundraiser at Rusch Home raises nearly $10,000

An inaugural all-you-can-eat barbecue event on Saturday raised nearly $10,000 for a local veterans fund, according to preliminary figures from an event organizer. The fundraiser was held outside the historic Rusch Home in Citrus Heights and attracted hundreds of supporters throughout the four-hour event, which featured various barbecue options, beers and desserts, as well as live music and contests. According to Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost, who played a key role in organizing the event, all proceeds will go to a “Vets Helping Vets Fund,” which is operated by the local American Legion Post #637. (Note: See original story published prior to the event for more background on the fundraiser.)

An all-you-can-eat barbecue fundraiser outside the historic Rusch Home raised nearly $10,000 for a local veterans fund, Saturday. // CHSentinel

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October 4, 2015
Citrus Heights This Week: what’s happening in town (Sept. 6-12)

Updated Sept. 6, 12:03 a.m.–
Happenings around Citrus Heights this week include a traveling circus at Sunrise Mall, a September 11 “flag unveiling,” and several more days of the community marching band’s massive yard sale fundraiser.

Citrus Heights Community Marching Band Fall Yard Sale: The annual fundraiser is held during the first two weekends of September each year — beginning on Sept. 4 and continuing through Monday, Sept. 7, this year. The football-field sized yard sale is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 7620 Linden Ave, and will also be open Sept. 11-13. (See full story)

Labor Day, Sept. 7: City offices will be closed in recognition of the holiday.

Citrus Heights Water District monthly board meeting: On Tuesday, Sept. 8, CHWD directors are set to discuss several items at their monthly meeting, including water rate “adjustment options” for 2016, the purchase of 100 one-inch water meters, and an update on current administrative building improvements. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 7011 Sylvan Rd., Suite E, at 6:30 p.m. (See agenda)

Business owners workshops: On Sept. 9, a free training designed to share “3 secrets to getting business moving again” will be offered by the nonprofit business mentorship group “SCORE.” The one-hour workshop begins at 7:30 a.m. and will be held at the Small Business Administration building at the corner of Sylvan and Stock Ranch roads in Citrus Heights. (Registration link)

On Sept. 10, SCORE will also host a free three-hour workshop titled “How to get more customers.” The class will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Small Business Administration building in Citrus Heights. (Registration link)

Planning Commission meeting: On Sept. 9, three public hearings will be held by planning commissioners. On the agenda: a use permit request by A1 Collision & Bumper Center on Greenback Lane, approval of items related to the Citrus Heights Urban Greening Strategy, and a zoning code modification to allow electronic signage and off-site civic signage. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Citrus Heights Community Center. (See agenda packet)

Circus Vargas: From Sept. 10 through 14, Sunrise Mall will be home to acrobats, magicians, clowns and more, as Circus Vargas brings its entertainment to Citrus Heights. (Circus website)

City Council meetings: On Thursday at a special 6 p.m. study session, council members will review proposed new city hall furniture, fixtures, equipment and building details. During the regular meeting at 7 p.m., a public hearing will be held regarding a requested police expenditure of about $24,000 in grant funds for equipment to aid in crime scene investigation. Council members will also discuss an amendment to a previously approved contract with AMPCO to demolish the existing city hall, increasing the price by $152,020 due to “additional asbestos-laced” material discovered. Both meetings will be held in the Citrus Heights Community Center. (See agenda packet)

September 11 Flag Unveiling: At 4 p.m. on Friday, City leaders will unveil and dedicate two new flagpoles at the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden. The unveiling will raise four new “Made in America” flags donated by the American Legion 637 and Boy Scout Troop 228, according to a press release from the City of Citrus Heights. The garden is located at the corner of Sylvan Road and Stock Ranch Road.

[For more upcoming events this month, see story: Citrus Heights This Month: what’s happening in September]
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September 6, 2015
Drought report: Citrus Heights water use drops by 42%

Water use in Citrus Heights dropped more than 40 percent for June and July, according to a state report issued this week.

Water conservation efforts in Citrus Heights have far-exceeded most areas of the state, with both main water suppliers for the city reporting a 42 percent cumulative drop in water use in June and July, according to the latest statewide water-use report issued this week.

The water savings exceeds state-imposed conservation goals of 32 percent for the Citrus Heights Water District and 20 percent for California-American Water — both of which serve the majority of city residents and businesses with water. The local conservation efforts also exceed the statewide average water savings of 31 percent for July and the state’s cumulative savings of 29.5 percent for June and July, compared to the 2013 baseline water use.

[State report: See how each water district did around the state]

“Our residents are doing a great job in conserving,” Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost said in response to the latest water report, although she expressed concern about trees dying from those who have “stopped watering altogether.”

Her concern is also reflected by the statewide “save our water” program, which highlights shade, cooling and landscape water-reduction benefits trees can provide — as well as the length of time needed to re-grow trees lost to lack of water. Mature trees are recommended to be deep-watered one to two times per month, while young trees need weekly watering, according to Saveourwater.com.

[Related: Free ‘WaterSmart’ workshop coming to Citrus Heights]

Water district consumption data from across the state is required to be reported each month to the California Water Resources Control Board, following emergency water conservation regulations passed in May. Beginning in June of this year, the Board began issuing monthly reports detailing statewide water use and conservation savings.

August water use data is expected to be released at the end of September.

August 30, 2015
DROUGHT: Free ‘WaterSmart’ workshop coming to Citrus Heights

A free water-efficient landscaping workshop will be held at the Citrus Heights Community Center on September 19, designed to help local homeowners and gardeners get “the best yard with the least water.”

According to an event flier, workshop topics will show how to properly position irrigation to ensure efficient watering, identify the right plants and best placement, and convert or upgrade sprinkler systems. There will also be additional information about tools and tips for irrigation scheduling.

The three-hour Saturday training will be from 9 a.m. to noon and is hosted by the City of Citrus Heights and EcoLandscape, along with three of the water districts serving the city. Registration is limited to Citrus Heights residents and customers of the Citrus Heights Water District, California American Water, and Sacramento Suburban Water District.

The deadline to register for the workshop is September 16 at 5 p.m. and will be limited to the first 70 participants to sign up, according to the City’s web page.

—

Additional workshop details:

6300 Fountain Square Dr.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Registration link: http://www.ecolandscape.org/programsWorkshopsWaterSmart.html

Workshop flier: WaterSmart_Workshop_Flyer.pdf

August 25, 2015
CHWD declares stage 4 water crisis; will hire ‘water police’

Sprinklers running off into gutters will be targeted by newly adopted regulations in the Citrus Heights Water District.

This story was initially published May 23, but has been updated:
Following a recent state mandate to cut water use by 32 percent, Citrus Heights Water District board members voted during a May board meeting to declare a long-term Stage 4 Water Crisis – carrying 20 regulations, a water use rate hike, and authorization to hire a private security firm to monitor water waste.

“One of the biggest changes at the District is the watering days,” CHWD Water Efficiency Coordinator Rex Meurer told residents attending the May meeting of Citrus Heights’ Birdcage Heights Neighborhood Association. “We’re going to two days a week… This is pretty drastic for us, but the State means business.”

Outdoor watering days will be determined by street address, according to Meurer, with odd-numbered addresses allowed to water only on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and those with even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Asked a question by Mayor Sue Frost about what “water police” would do if they found a lawn wet on the wrong watering day, Meurer said the incident would result in a talk rather than a fine. “We’re not out here to penalize, we’re here to work with you.”

[Document: Full List of 20 CHWD Stage 4 Mandatory Requirements]

Effective July 15, water use rates will rise 25 percent, bringing current charges of about 77 cents per 748 gallons up to about 96 cents, according to the District’s new drought resources page online. Meurer said a required 30-day notice for the rate increase will be sent out shortly to all customers, which will also include a date for when the new regulations will go into effect.

Until recently, the District did not have a way to temporarily raise rates in a drought, but CHWD board members approved a new pricing structure for water shortages last November, paving the way for the 25 percent rate hike and allowing the District to compensate for decreased revenue as less water is purchased.

[See story from November: Citrus Heights Water District votes 2-0 to raise rates]

Although CHWD does not currently have a “Cash for Grass” incentive to replace lawns with lower water-use landscaping, Meurer said users should take advantage of two local rebates when replacing toilets or clothes washers with high-efficiency models. He also recommended CHWD customers call the District to schedule a free “water efficiency evaluation” — a comprehensive assessment of outdoor watering systems, valued at over $100, according to Meurer.

Calculation for the 32 percent water use reduction will be based on a comparison with 2013 water usage, with the District beginning its reporting to the State Water Resources Control Board at the end of June, according to Meurer. In 2014, he said users successfully met a voluntary request to reduce consumption by 20 percent.

[See 2014 story: WATER: Citrus Heights usage drops 21%, State lags behind]

CHWD’s service area covers a majority of Citrus Heights residents, although about one-third of the city’s residents are served by other water districts. CHWD also provides water to some portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville.

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May 31, 2015
WATER: Citrus Heights usage drops 21%, State lags behind

As California’s drought continues, the Citrus Heights Water District says its customers cut back water use by an average of 21.2 percent during the first eight months of 2014 – exceeding Governor Jerry Brown’s call for a 20 percent reduction.

Photo credit: Sarah/mira66 via Flickr Creative Commons

Ranking among the highest water savers across the state, data shows CHWD users consistently beat statewide averages, which have only been in the single digits until finally hitting an 11 percent reduction in August, according to figures released by the State Water Resources Board in October.

State numbers show CHWD reporting a savings of over 1.45 million gallons of water in August alone, and District Assistant General Manager Darlene Gillum said the total 2014 reduction amounts to a savings of about 36 gallons per capita per day for local users, compared to water use in 2013.

Currently at a Stage 3 Water Warning level, Gillum said the District has “no near-term plans” to bump the warning up to a Stage 4, which would be accompanied by “Water Crisis/Emergency tiered pricing” increases, if the warning remained implemented past 45 days.

The current Stage 3 warning comes with a list of 11 regulations, including a ban on water run-off from properties, and a requirement that automatic shut-off devices be attached at the end of outdoor hoses. The warning also states that restaurants “shall serve water only upon request,” and landscape irrigation is to be reduced by 11 to 25 percent.

Water users in CHWD currently pay about a dollar for every 350 gallons the District delivers, although the Board of Directors will consider a 3 percent rate increase at a November 19 meeting.

Despite its name, CHWD’s service area doesn’t reach all of Citrus Heights, although a majority of the city’s residents are included within the District’s boundaries. Some portions of Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Carmichael, and Roseville are also included in the CHWD service area.

October 16, 2014
Citrus Heights Water Use Drops 20%, While Statewide Use Rises

According to the Citrus Heights Water District, users cut overall water consumption by 20 percent so far this year and will not see any additional reduction requirements from the District — despite other water suppliers resorting to mandatory fines and penalties.

Photo by Matthew Bowden.

In an email response to water questions raised by residents, CHWD said its approach “has been and will continue to be education and working with customers to reduce water use,” and that it “has no intent of reviewing individual meter data to enforce a 20 percent reduction goal.”

In a July Water Update the District said it calculated its water use reduction percentage by comparing overall water use during the first six months of 2014 with the same time period in 2013, finding a total reduction of 20.6 percent.

Following statewide emergency water regulations implemented on July 29, a statement on the CHWD website said its existing Stage 3 Water Warning complies with the new regulations, and that residents will continue to be asked to cut water use by 20 percent. The “Stage 3” warning lists 11 conservation requirements and has been in effect for CHWD users since January 14, 2014.

A full list of “Stage 3” requirements can be found on the District’s website.

August 2, 2014