Valley Water will conduct its public process for setting FY 2024/2025 groundwater and surface water charges (rates) in the Spring of 2024.
As Santa Clara County’s primary water resources agency, Valley Water ensures there is enough safe, clean water to sustain the region’s economy and quality of life. The existing major facilities that serve the county’s water needs, including the system of dams, pipelines, and treatment plants, were build decades ago. Projects like the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit are necessary to ensure this system continues to operate efficiently and safely for many years to come.
Water charges pay for the infrastructure and services required to maintain a reliable groundwater supply and to provide safe, clean water to Silicon Valley residents, farms and businesses. Industry-wide cost impacts associated with post-COVID-19 supply chain issues and rapid inflation have dramatically impacted the cost of delivering on important water supply projects, like the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project. Valley Water continually strives to be a careful steward of the financial resources entrusted to us; however, we must align water charges with the costs to deliver the services the community relies upon.
The rate-setting process includes a series of opportunities for the public to provide input at an open house and public hearings in April. The rate-setting process also includes a formal protest procedure where surface water users can object to the proposed increase in rates. The procedure is explained in detail using the link provided below.
The amount paid to Valley Water to divert surface water for your use is comprised of a basic user charge, which is equivalent to the groundwater production charge, and a surface water master charge. The basic user charge helps pay for the cost to manage and augment surface water supplies. It's set equal to the groundwater production charge because the use of surface water helps ensure sustainable groundwater supplies by reducing the need for pumping. The surface water master charge pays for costs that are specific to surface water users only, including the work to operate surface water turnouts and maintain information on surface water accounts.
Climate change has brought the possibility of more frequent and prolonged droughts and the need for new infrastructure investments. Accordingly, planning work continues on efforts to expand purified water use in the county, expand local water storage at Pacheco Reservoir, and improve water storage diversification with investments in out-of-county water storage facilities. The effort to develop Valley Water’s 2050 Water Supply Maser Plan is under way. When completed, it will guide critical investments for projects and programs to increase future water supply reliability.
Water will always be one of our most precious resources, and we are committed to its preservation and responsible management while ensuring the prudent use of public funds. Valley Water’s Board of Directors encourages everyone to make water conservation a way of life. A water conservation mindset paired with strategic infrastructure investments will help secure a sustainable and resilient water supply, now and into the future.