I will admit I had almost lost hope of stopping the proposed Cal Water rate increases when I heard the good news a couple of weeks ago that the state Ratepayers Advocate (DRA) had stepped in. They suggest the increase be cut in half.
This all due to people in Oroville, Marysville, and Yuba City, who kicked up a fuss, made a formal complaint, wrote letters, put signs on their lawns, etc. If you go to the Oroville Mercury Register, or the Marysville Appeal Democrat, you will find lively chatter regarding such topics as municipally owned water companies, eminent domaining a utility company, etc.
That’s right – in Oroville they’re actually talking about eminent domaining Cal Water. One council member says this will require a bond to pay for the purchase, but he thinks the time is right to go to the voters . Look at what people are paying, just for household water. In Oroville people are already paying $200 or more to keep their lawns and landscaping alive.
I’ll say it – I’m ready to pay a reasonable bond with limits and a sunset date if it means we could own our own water, instead of a for-profit corporation that enriches itself not only off our rates but government hand-outs as well. We can ask that the bond money be used exclusively for the purchase of the water company holdings. We can pass an ordinance that requires a publicly elected board of directors and manager, and public input regarding employee contracts. I realize, it’s a big conversation – let’s have it!
Read about Oroville and Marysville’s efforts here:
http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_24119735/council-supports-no-water-rate-increases
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/water-125858-city-sewer.html
Chico Taxpayers Association 
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