Marin Municipal Water District sells less water, makes cuts

operating budget of about $63 million a year.

Ironically, in order to make up the lost revenue, the district board voted last week to cut its conservation program by about $1.7 million. The savings will come from reducing or limiting the rebates paid out for people who switch to low-flow toilets and who buy water-saving clothes washers.

Overtime pay also will be cut, which will have an impact on response times to pipe leaks and other problems. But if the problem is serious, crews will be dispatched. Ten positions are vacant at the water district and those will not be filled as well.

Before the budget woes hit, the district had built in an 8.25 percent water rate hike for the next fiscal year. Gibson said he hopes to not go above the planned rate hike, but that it might be moved up earlier in the year to generate more revenue sooner.

Paul Helliker, general manager for the district - which serves residents from San Rafael to Sausalito - said the district would try to avoid a big rate hike.

"We are looking heavily at the cost-cutting side," he said, adding that the financial picture will continue to be monitored.

The North Marin Water District, which serves customers in Novato and West Marin, also has seen a drop in water sales this year. The district also urged customers to conserve because of dwindling supplies from its main source, the Russian River.

"A lot of this is weather driven; it was a cool summer," said Chris DeGabriele, general manager of the North Marin district. "And people are watering less. There are a lot of brown laws in front of businesses and residences."

The district budgeted for lower water sales, knowing at the beginning of the year the county could face a drought. That resulted in putting off some maintenance projects.

"We have reduced revenue as well, but it's a little to early to know if we will need to make cuts," DeGabriele said.

Contact Mark Prado via e-mail at mprado@marinij.com

via contracostatimes.com