Reduce your water bill: Call to Action

Send your email today please

It is time for San Jose Water to remove the surcharge given the storms we have seen.
We have to remove the drought mandate imposed by the Valley Water Board in order for San Jose Water to remove the surcharge.

Email Board@valleywater.org, Rishi@RishiKumar.com

SUBJECT: Drought mandate on your January agenda

Dear Valley Water Board,

Please remove the drought mandate at your January meeting given the series of recent storms and above average snow pack in the Sierras.

San Jose Water Company has been relentless with their rate increases, and the surcharge (as a result of the drought mandate) has increased their profits tremendously, in spite of our success with water conservation. San Jose Water Company’s annual income in 2020 and 2021 was $60 million, a huge increase from the $20 million in 2010-2013.

Please protect the county residents. Please remove the drought mandate and ask San Jose Water to remove the associated surcharge.

Thank you,

YOUR NAME & CITY OF RESIDENCE

FYI - A LONG STORY ABOUT San Jose WATER COMPANY’S FAILURE THAT WAS SENT TO ME

I do not know if you have been informed about he water main rupture in Los Gatos. SJWC has a project to replace the water mains in Los Gatos on St. Joseph's Hill area. They scheduled this as we raised the issue in the last GRC that they had been reimbursed for replacing these same pipes and never even started the project. The CPUC gave them a pass saying that they are not obligated to complete any project they propose and get rewarded. They have the discretion to change the funding to any project they choose. 

Regardless, SJWC failed to identify the water pipes and service pipes on Villa Ave before they dug. The buried the shovel and burst the main, cutting water off from 577 houses and business locations. The town council called them to task, but the Public Works division gave them a pass. John Tang publicly stated that they own the fiasco and told the Council and ratepayers that they would give ratepayers $50 dollar credit on their next bill. The water was off for 36 hours and was undrinkable for 100 hours. Many had damage to their water systems, filters, irrigation, water heaters that cost up to 1000 to put back in order.  

Just one more SJWC abuse of power via the CPUC while their rate increase goes above $25M and their stock price goes from $53 in 2018 to 80 today. This is a 51% increase in 5 years, while the tech stocks are precipitously falling.  

Just wanted to keep you informed. I feel the root of the problem is with CPCU which has allowed the utilities to rule their decisions and policies.

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