FSLVW Initiatives
Rate Assistance Program
California recognizes safe, affordable water as a fundamental human right, but, the cost of water delivery is being driven higher and higher by a wide range of evolving conditions. FSLVW has led the way in asking: what can SLVWD do to preserve affordable access even as rates continue to increase?
Debris Flows
In the winter after the August 2020 CZU Fire, the threat of hazardous debris flows became a major concern for the SLV. FSLVW emerged as the valley’s go-to resource for reliable information about how to stay safe and as an effective community advocate in discussions with County officials.
Tiered Rates
SLVWD currently charges its customers in direct proportion to the amount of water they use. But this is not the only possible pricing scheme. What other option could the District consider, and what would be the potential benefits and concerns?
Fire Recovery Surcharge
With millions of dollars of unanticipated expenses resulting from the August 2020 CZU Fire, SLVWD proposed a 5-year fire recovery surcharge of $9.67 per month for most residential properties beginning in August 2021.
As required by Proposition 218, community responses to this proposal were tabulated at the Board Meeting on August 5, 2021. To ensure that these responses were as well-informed as possible, FSLVW prepared a supplementary review of this issue:
Understanding SLVWD’s Fire Recovery Surcharge (7/14/21)
NOTE: The fire-recovery surcharge was discussed and approved at the August 5, 2021 Board meeting.
Scotts Valley / SLVWD Consolidation Proposal
Many SLV residents were alarmed to discover at the beginning of February 2021 that the Boards of the Scotts Valley Water District (SVWD) and the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLVWD) were preparing to explore the possibility of consolidating the two water districts into one. This topic rapidly generated a great deal of commentary on local social media, much of it either confused or misinformed. FSLVW’s top priority was to provide an accurate and objective account of all relevant developments and considerations.
A Primer on San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley Water District Consolidation
Summary of Arguments in Support and in Opposition
UPDATE (2/25/21): After further deliberation, FSLVW issued the following formal recommendation to the SVLWD Board:
FSLVW Recommendations Regarding Potential Consolidation of the SLVWD and the SVWD