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County water director warns of ageing infrastructure, Prop 218 limits and rate pressures
Summary
The Water & Sanitation Department briefed supervisors on fiscal constraints, aging infrastructure across 11 districts, and regulatory pressures (PFAS, manganese), and said it will pursue targeted rate adjustments, facility assessments and grant opportunities to stabilize finances and upgrade systems.
Paul Chan, director of the county Water & Sanitation Department, presented an overview of 11 independent water and wastewater districts the county operates, warning that aging infrastructure and regulatory changes are increasing costs and that Proposition 218 constraints limit rate-setting flexibility. He said revenue has lagged expenses in some districts and proposed a mix of facility assessments, phased investments and grant-seeking to mitigate operating and capital shortfalls.
Chan told the board the department serves roughly 27,000 accounts with an annual operating budget near $50 million and that smaller districts face disproportionate fiscal strain under Prop 218 because rate changes require a majority protest process. He described next steps including Proposition 218 processes for targeted districts, facility assessments for Piru, Moorpark and CSA 29, and continuing to pursue grants and low-interest financing. The board voted to receive the briefing and directed staff to continue grant-seeking and to return with rate and capital plans.
