Water Authority Adopts $1.5 Billion Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors today adopted a $1.5 billion budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017, up 2 percent from the current two-year budget due largely to higher costs for the purchase and treatment of water. The Board also adopted rate increases for 2016 of 6.6 percent for untreated water and 5.4 percent for treated water; actual increases will vary among the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies based on differing circumstances among the agencies.

MWD Owes Water Authority $232 Million, Judge Declares

A San Francisco Superior Court judge ruled late Friday that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California owes the San Diego County Water Authority $43.4 million in prejudgment interest, in addition to the $188.3 million awarded on Aug. 28 as contract damages for illegal rates MWD charged from 2011 to 2014. The order brings the amount MWD owes the Water Authority to $231.7 million.

Board Adopts Long-Term Plans for Water Facilities and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously adopted an updated water facilities master plan and a Climate Action Plan, along with an environmental analysis of the two long-range strategies. The package will serve as a roadmap through 2035 for future capital projects and responding to climate change as it relates to activities within the agency.

Final Ruling: Water Authority Wins Landmark Rate Litigation Against Metropolitan Water District

A final court ruling issued late Thursday afternoon says the San Diego County Water Authority has prevailed in the first phase of historic rate litigation against the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The statement of decision by San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Curtis E. A. Karnow affirmed his Feb. 25 tentative ruling in the Water Authority’s favor.

The litigation could save the San Diego region $2 billion in overcharges created by MWD’s illegal rates over 45 years.

San Diego County Water Authority Wins Landmark Ruling in Rate Challenge Against Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

In a major victory for the San Diego County Water Authority and water ratepayers throughout San Diego County, San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Curtis E. A. Karnow today tentatively ruled that in setting rates for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California violated cost of service requirements of California’s Constitution, statutes and common law.  Specifically, Judge Karnow’s tentative determination is that MWD’s rates violate: