1.2 Million Gallons: Morada Skirts California Drought Restrictions Through Prop. 218
MORADA (CBS13) — While many in California struggle with the severe drought, people in one upscale community in San Joaquin County are still paying a flat rate, and using as much water as they want.
Among the sprawling gated estates of Morada, surrounded by lush, green lawns, there are few signs of California's four-year drought.
San Joaquin County installed water meters in Morada years ago, but homeowners aren't using them, some argue by exploiting Proposition 218.
"I do not know of another district in the state that uses more water per residence than that district," said Jim Stone with San Joaquin County Public Works.
The average county customer uses 168,000 gallons of water a year, according to public works. But the average Morada homeowner uses nearly seven times more—1.2 million gallons a year. And they aren't paying an single cent extra for all of that water.
Instead, the 113 homeowners in the small, wealthy community north of Stockton are still on a flat rate of only $126 a month.
The county installed water meters back in 2010 that still aren't being used. The answer involves an obscure provision in the two-decades old Proposition 218 that says a rate hike can't take effect if the majority of customers protest. That's what happened in Morada.
"They have no incentive to conserve, and no disincentive if they don't conserve, so they don't like change," Stone said.
Public works explains it's not just a matter of conservation. The low flat rate means more money is going out than coming in. At this rate, the small water district serving Morada will run out of money in a year.
"The only way to reduce the cost is to reduce the amount of water," Stone said.
Residents could accept the meters, but if they don't, the county could outlaw all outdoor watering in Morada. Also, if the district's money runs out, the state could take over and impose whatever rate hikes it wants.
LaVelle Townsend just moved in and welcomes metering.
"We need water more than grass," he said.
One homeowner we spoke to seemed resigned that change is coming.
"I don't like it, but that's the way it goes," he said.
The state water board called any attempt to block water meters "extremely shortsighted."
If Morada agrees to meters and people cut back 30 percent, bills would go up $12 a month.
