Sweetwater Authority:
We’re Here to Serve
Rich Stevenson, Director of Finance
November 28, 2023
Ditas Yamane
2023-2026
Steve Castaneda
SBID Div. 1
2022-2026
Ron Morrison
2023-2026
Board of Directors
National City
Paulina Martinez-Perez
SBID Div. 2
2020-2024
Josie Calderon-Scott
SBID Div. 5
2020-2024
Manny Delgado
SBID Div. 3
2023-2024
Hector Martinez
SBID Div. 4
2022-2026
2 • Safe, reliable water since 1977
• 36 square mile service area
• Approx. 200,000 customers
• 33,000+ service connections
• 2 dams, 2 reservoirs, 20 storage tanks and 17 pump stations • Surface water treatment, groundwater desalination, freshwater wells and imported water
About Us
3 4
Securing Affordable Water Supply
Loveland Reservoir
82% of capacity
Sweetwater Reservoir
55% of capacity
5 Partnering With Our Community
• Educational Partnerships
- Hydro Station (with CVESD and Otay Water District)
- Unique learning experience that teaches students about careers and opportunities in the water industry
- Olivewood Gardens
- Official Water Provider, supporting efforts that
promote the safety, value, and efficiency of tap water
- The Water Conservation Garden
- Educational resource for residents and school programs • Community Engagement
- Community events
- Partnerships with local nonprofits
- Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, Living Coast Discovery Center Pipeline display at Bonita Museum
Hydro Station at Reynolds Desalination Facility
Sweetwater Authority Water Rates
6 • The Authority is funded through customer water use rates (no property taxes) • Proposition 218 Requirements to proportion costs to customers • Only collect revenue for what is necessary to provide services • Only spend revenues for water service
• Fees may not exceed proportional cost of service to a parcel • Fees are only for services that are used and available to a parcel • 45-day Written notice of proposed rate changes public hearing to adopt the changes The 2023 Water Rate Study will accomplish these requirements through a Cost of Service and Water Rate Design Study
2023 Water Rate Study – Major Objectives
7 • Set rates for 3 year: 1/1/2024, 1/1/2025, and 1/1/2026 • Based on FY 2023-24 Budget and Financial Projections
Revenue Requirement:
• Commodity-Demand Methodology – focuses on two cost components • Commodity Costs
• Typically variable costs associated with actual consumptions • Energy required to produce water
• Demand Costs
• Typically considered fixed costs regardless of actual consumption • Pipeline maintenance
2023 Water Rate Study
8 • Allocation of Fixed and Variable Charges (more costs allocated to the Meter Charge) • Continue to use a Single-Family Residential Tier Design based on Source of Supply YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3
13% 16% 19%
87% 84% 81%
% Fixed
3-Year Phase-In Assumptions
% Variable
Single-family Residential Rate
Based on Supply Source
Proposed
Tier Units
Tier 1: National City Wells $ 0 to 4 Units
Tier 2: Surface Water $$ 4 to 13 Units
Tier 3: Desalination $$$ 13 to 24 Units
Tier 4: Imported $$$$$ 24+ Units
Customer
Bill
Impacts
9 $ %
Residential 5 $45.95 $46.77 $54.44 $63.10 $17.15 37%
Residential 10 $70.20 $77.87 $86.24 $95.65 $25.45 36%
Residential 15 $99.15 $109.25 $118.32 $128.50 $29.35 30% Residential 20 $128.74 $141.05 $150.82 $161.80 $33.06 26% Residential 30 $191.90 $215.81 $227.70 $241.00 $49.10 26% Residential 40 $263.60 $298.01 $312.50 $328.60 $65.00 25% Multi-family 15 $121.60 $115.52 $124.86 $135.55 $13.95 11% Multi-family 200 $1,404.40 $1,378.13 $1,438.56 $1,508.98 $104.58 7% Commercial 500 $3,257.40 $3,343.13 $3,448.56 $3,572.98 $315.58 10% HCF = volumetric unit for water billing, hundred cubic feet Does not include SDWCA Pass-through charges
3rd Year Increase
Customer Class Water
Use - HCF Current Bill Proposed
1/1/2024
Proposed
1/1/2025
Proposed
1/1/2026
Bill Estimator
Tool for customers to
view how proposed
rates will impact their
water bill
www.sweetwater.org/billestimator
10 San Diego County Water Authority Passthrough Charges 11 • SDCWA Charges = Collected by Sweetwater and Passed Through to SDCWA • Monthly Fixed Charges (even if no water is purchased) Infrastructure Access Charge
Customer Service Charge
Emergency Storage Charge
Supply Reliability Charge
Readiness-to-Serve Charge (MWD)
Capacity Charge (MWD)
12 Rate Study Schedule
• June 28-Board Meeting (Budget Approval)
• August 23-final Board policy direction provide to rate consultant • September 21-Rate Study-Open House
• September 27-2023 Water Rate Study presented to Board • October-Proposition 218 Mailer Sent to Customers
• December 6-Rate Study Public Hearing
Development Services Program
Ongoing Process Improvement
13 • Tenets of Operation:
• Trust established processes and direct challenges to
appropriate person
• Continue to regularly review process
• Implement new procedures as necessary
• Provide regular Board updates
• Recent Actions Taken:
• Continue to seek feedback from developers
• Present to our Committee/Board for further input
• Present to stakeholders/partner agencies for
further input
Improvement of Interagency Coordination and
Cooperation
14 • Interagency protocols will facilitate permitting and construction
• Management meetings between Authority and City of C.V. and National City staff for improved coordination
• Improved development literature
Improvement of Information Availability
15 • Improved website capabilities:
• Increase understanding of requirements
• Implement application tracking tool
• Updated development brochure – currently placed at National City Building Department Counter and Chula Vista Development Services Counter
• In process to implement interagency checklist with National City (Required Agency Clearance Form)
• Chula Vista has offered to include the Application Guide on the Development Services website
Connect with us
@swawater
@sweetwaterauth
@sweetwaterauthority
(619) 420-1413
www.sweetwater.org