City of San Clemente
Public Works
David Rebensdorf, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Phone: (949) 361-6130 Fax: (949) 361-8234
[email protected]
February 4, 2026
Suzi Corman
15818 Parkridge Ave.
Sonora, CA 95370
Re: Response to letter challenging proposed water rates City address: 238 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, CA 92672 Dear Suzi Corman,
The City of San Clemente received your letter on December 22, 2025. While the City understands your concerns regarding the proposed adjustment to water rates, your letter does not adequately and timely identify a property address (although the City did receive your property address via email on January 28, 2026, which was after the January 15, 2026 objection deadline) or any portion of the City’s proposed water rate increase that is not in compliance with Proposition 218. Therefore, your letter does not meet the definition of a “written objection,” as that term is used in Government Code Section 53759.1. Nevertheless, the City wishes to address the comments provided in your letter.
Comment 1 – People will use less water, (which can be a savings for water usage) but reduces money generated which then furthers the need for another increase in water prices.
Response 1 – When less water is used by City customers, it reduces the City’s cost for water production and imported water (which is proposed as a pass-thru) and is a direct saving to the customer. However, there are increased costs for system operation and maintenance due to price increases for materials, chemicals, and staffing to maintain a reasonable competitive wage rate compared to the employment market.
Comment 2 – Water rate hikes add to the overall cost-of-living inflation which are especially burdensome for low-income individuals and families.
Response 2 — The City is sensitive to impacts for low-income individuals and families and offers programs to assist customers with water conservation to reduce water use and costs. In the future, the City may consider providing programs for low-income customers, but funding would be needed from other City services since enterprise funding (water rates) cannot legally be used to fund these types of programs.
Comment 3 and 4 – Conservation can be achieved by tiered pricing and leak detection and system repairs.
Response 3 and 4 – Tiered pricing can be an effective tool in promoting water conservation. During the City’s previous water rate study, tiered pricing was considered, but due to new laws related to tiered pricing, the City’s differences in its tiered pricing was very minimal and was not enough to promote conservation. The City does have an active outreach program to promote water conservation to its customers and have seen steady increases in conservation over the past decade and continues to see lower water use. Regarding leak detection and system repairs, the City actively inspects its water system for leak with the use of sounding equipment and monitoring water use. When leaks are found, they are repaired as soon as possible as a best management practice.
Thank you for taking the time to provide comments on the proposed water rates.
Sincerely,
David Rebensdorf
Public Works Director/City Engineer
Public Works 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673 http://san-clemente.org
City of San Clemente Page 2