BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code ? 84308 Applies: Yes ? No ?
(If "YES" Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code ? 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Receive Results of Consultant Study Regarding Santa Clara Valley Water District's Water Use Projections, Water Demand Elasticity, and Customer Affordability; Receive an Update on Valley Water's Water Rate Assistance Program; and Provide Direction to Staff as Needed.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
A. Receive results of the completed consultant study regarding Santa Clara Valley Water District's water use projections, water demand elasticity, and customer affordability;
B. Receive an update on Valley Water's Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP); and
C. Provide direction to staff, as needed.
Body
SUMMARY:
As the water wholesaler to Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) is keenly sensitive to the impact rising water rates have on the community, both residential and commercial.
In an effort to understand the broader impacts wholesale water rates have, Valley Water engaged a consultant to conduct a study focused on water use projections, water demand elasticity, and water rate affordability. In response to the identified local need for water utility bill assistance, the Board of Directors established the Water Rate Assistance Program (WRAP) in July 2021.
This memo summarizes the study results and highlights the ongoing connection between water rate affordability and WRAP.
Study Background and Results
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) recently finalized a consultant study to validate or suggest refinements to Valley Water's current water use projections for Valley Water-managed water use, analyze water demand elasticity, and determine or address the affordability of water to residents and businesses within Santa Clara County (the Study).
The majority of County residents and businesses receive water service from a retailer, while Valley Water acts as the water wh...
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