Ventura Water Mails
Proposed Rates Notice
 Customers and property owners began receiving mailed notices last week about proposed water and wastewater rate increases. Following a six-month process with a citizen Advisory Committee offering input, the new rates are based on a Cost of Service Study and are designed to fund the operational and capital improvement budgets for the next four years.
The 2014 Cost of Service Study Report contains all the technical details about how the rates were set, but here are some key points for customers to keep in mind:
- The rates do fund some modest increases in the operational budgets, but the primary reason we are asking for more money is to fund an aggressive capital improvement program. Ventura is an older city and our water and wastewater infrastructure systems, and especially much of our 680 miles of pipelines, are nearing the end of their lifecycle.
- To keep rates steady and help our customers plan, the rates are proposed to be increased every July 1 for the next four years. The bill for an average residential household, using the same amount of water, will go up between $5 and $7 per month each year.
- We encourage our customers to use less water. This will minimize the impact to their bills of the higher rates.
- Complete information, including a Bill Calculator, is available at cityofventura.net/water/rates.
- Please contact Customer Care at myvtawater@cityofventura.net or (805) 667-6500 with any questions.
The notice contains information about the City Council’s Public Hearing, scheduled for May 5, to consider the rates and how customers can exercise their rights under California law. Customers are also invited to a Town Hall informational meeting on April 17 at 6 p.m. at the City Sanjon Maintenance Yard, 336 Sanjon Road, Ventura. In addition, Ventura Water staff will be making presentations at community councils and other organizations over the next two months. If your group is interested in a presentation about the proposed rates and our water and wastewater infrastructure, please contact Sylvia Lopez at slopez@venturawater.net.
Learn About Planet-Friendly Landscapes
 Ventura Water customers are invited to attend free Water Wise classes to learn about water-efficient landscaping. Since 40-60% of water is used outdoors, the classes are focused on helping homeowners and businesses reduce their water use to stretch water supplies during these historically dry conditions. Classes are free, but space is limited. To register, visit www.cityofventura.net/water/landscape or call (805) 652-4501.
Edible Harvest Class – Saturday, April 5, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Green Thumb Nursery, 1899 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.
Nursery expert Dave Nichols from Green Thumb will lead this fun and informative class about how to incorporate edibles into your landscape. Discover why it is beneficial, what to plant and when, and the benefits of nontoxic pest control.
Compost and Urban Soils Workshop – Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Cornucopia Community Garden, across from Ventura Community Park on Telephone Road, between Johnson Drive and Ramelli Avenue.
Dr. Ben Faber from the University of California Extension and Paul Vaksvic, aka “Dr. Rot,” will expand your knowledge of water-holding capacity and the biology of soils. This fun and engaging class will teach participants how to create and use healthy compost, compost teas and natural humic acids to improve the vitality of soil.
Water Wise Watering Class – Saturday, May 3, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: City Public Works Maintenance Yard, 336 Sanjon Road.
Ewing Irrigation professional Raul Topete will teach how to irrigate your landscape efficiently with the use of drip, rotating nozzles and smart controllers that maximize water and energy savings.
SoCal Bloomers Class – Saturday, June 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: City Public Works Maintenance Yard, 336 Sanjon Road.
Lisa Burton of Nature by Design will help participants discover colorful, climate-appropriate plants to incorporate beautifully into a water-wise landscape. Burton has been installing lawn alternatives, Ocean Friendly Gardens and Wildlife Habitat Gardens for more than a decade in Ventura County.
March 1 Turf Alternatives Class Well Attended
 On Saturday, March 1, more than 70 customers braved the pouring rain to learn about the history of the green lawn and today’s options to transform our tired turf into beautiful spaces that conserve our precious resources. The class was led by professional Garden Landscape Designer Lisa Burton (Nature by Design, nbdgardens.com), who presented the benefits of landscapes that support our natural environment. Read more
Youth volunteers from City Church give climate-appropriate plants a new home as part of Fire Station No. 1’s water-wise landscape makeover.
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