The Desert Water Agency Board of Directors will consider proposed rate increases at a public hearing on June 28. DWA recently sent notices to customers to highlight why DWA is considering rate changes, what those changes are and the process that will be used to review and adopt them.
If approved, most of the new rates would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. The plan also lays out potential increases for future years but DWA’s Board of Directors must approve each increase before it is implemented.
As a public water agency, DWA does not profit from the services it provides. Rates are determined by the cost of providing service. A recent rate study showed that DWA is not adequately covering its costs.
Factors that are leading DWA to consider rate increase include:
- Inflation pushing up costs for materials and services
- The need to more aggressively replace aging water pipelines at risk of failure
- New state and federal regulations
- Funding reserve targets
For customers concerned about their ability to afford the new rates, bill help is available through DWA’s Help2Others customer assistance program. Riverside County also has income-based resources. Visit www.dwa.org/h2o to learn more.
DWA is holding a public hearing at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, at our facility, 1200 S. Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs and via Zoom.
For more information prior to the hearing, customers are invited to attend a community workshop:
- Friday, May 26, 2 p.m. at Desert Water Agency, 1200 S Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs or join us virtually via Zoom
- Saturday, June 10, 2 p.m. at Cathedral City Senior Center, 37171 Buddy Rogers Ave., Cathedral City
- Monday, June 12, 2 p.m. at Desert Hot Springs Library, 14380 Palm Dr, Desert Hot Springs (for Replenishment Assessment Charge impacted customers)
For more information on the proposed rate adjustment, please visit: www.dwa.org/rates.