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August 2016
9-3
City of Morgan Hill
2015 Urban Water Management Plan
9.1.3
Conservation Pricing
On January 20, 2016, the City adopted a resolution approving adjustments to the City’s water and
wastewater rate structure. Historically, the City has implemented a conservation pricing structure
that charged customers at different rates based on amount of water delivered; customers using
more water would be charged at a higher rate than those using less water. The newly adopted
rates are no longer based on this conservation pricing structure and customers are charged at a
rate that does not increase based on how much water is consumed. The newly adopted rates,
which took effect on April 1, 2016, are expected to increase annually through the year 2020 and
are included in
Appendix D
.
9.1.4
Public Outreach and Rebate Programs
The City, in cooperation with the SCVWD, has multiple programs in place to reduce water
consumption by raising public awareness of water conservation. Additionally, they are
incentivizing replacement of high water use fixtures through both optional and mandated fixture
replacement programs.
9.1.4.1 Public Information Programs
The City, in cooperation with SCVWD, has various methods to raise public awareness regarding
water conservation and water supply issues. These issues include, but are not limited to, runoff
pollution, water quality, and water conservation.
The City promotes water conservation to local residents and business in the following ways:
•
Literature Rack:
The City Hall lobby has had a rack containing available water
conservation literature since 1999.
•
Bill Inserts:
Each year the City includes at least one insert on water conservation in the
monthly utility bills.
•
New Resident Orientation:
The City sends any new utility customer information about the
water conservation program currently in place and provides the option to receive offered
additional literature and water-saving devices.
•
Demonstration Gardens:
The City has multiple Demonstration Garden Sites in order to
provide examples to members of the community various ways to maintain gardens while
still conserving water and improving water quality.
•
Newspaper Columns and Newsletters:
Many newspaper columns and newsletters
promoting water conservation have been published by the City during the past decade.
Water conservation has also been a featured topic in the City’s newsletter and Consumer
Confidence Report.