Conservation-Based Water Rates

The Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) implemented a conservation-based water rate model July 1, 2010 that significantly changed the way that the District calculates customers' cost for water usage. With the SFPUC as its sole source of water, the EMID must manage its water consumption based upon a water supply assurance agreement with the SFPUC to provide up to 5.9 million gallons of water per day on average in a given year. Conservation efforts are underway at the local, regional and state level to ensure that there is sufficient water in the region today and for the future.

On June 6, 2011, the District held a public hearing to consider increases to its Master Fee Schedule to increase water rates effective July 1, 2011. The SFPUC notified EMID that it will increase the wholesale rate for water from $1.90 / ccf to $2.63 / ccf effective July 1, 2011. This represents a 38% increase. EMID must respond to this increase by increasing its base consumption rate to $2.66 / ccf, which represents a 27% increase in consumption charges to its customers effective July 1, 2011.  Fixed meter charges, however, will not be increased, and instead maintained at their current rates.