A San Francisco Superior Court judge ruled late Friday that the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California owes the San Diego County Water Authority $43.4 million in prejudgment interest, in addition to the $188.3 million awarded on Aug. 28 as contract damages for illegal rates MWD charged from 2011 to 2014. The order brings the amount MWD owes the Water Authority to $231.7 million.
Category Archives: Metropolitan Water District
Documents Uncover Secret Public Relations Campaign Targeting San Diego County Water Authority
Documents obtained under the California Public Records Act show that the top official with the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California participated in meetings on the development of a covert public relations campaign designed to discredit the San Diego County Water Authority and its long-term water supply diversification strategy. The sub-rosa campaign is the latest in a string of similar efforts by MWD and some of its member agencies dating back to the late-1990s, records show.
MWD Adopts Unnecessary Rate Increases for 2015 and 2016 While Over-Collecting $350 Million from Ratepayers
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California on Tuesday raised rates for 2015 and 2016 despite having projected cash reserves of $840 million – an amount that is $352 million above its board-adopted maximum reserve limit. MWD's board also voted to spend the over-collected revenue on unbudgeted expenses.
Water Authority Prevails in Public Records Lawsuit Against Eastern Municipal Water District
A Superior Court judge on Tuesday ruled that a Public Records Act lawsuit brought by the San Diego County Water Authority against the Eastern Municipal Water District compelled the Riverside water agency to release records and that it must conduct an additional search for records responsive to the Water Authority’s request. The judge’s ruling means the Water Authority is the prevailing party in the litigation and is entitled to recovery of its attorney’s fees.
New Website Tool Provides Real-Time Calculation of Metropolitan Water District Overcharges
SAN DIEGO — The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is collecting excess funds from Southern California water ratepayers at the rate of about $707,000 a day, according to new data posted at www.mwdfacts.com.
Final Ruling: Water Authority Wins Landmark Rate Litigation Against Metropolitan Water District
A final court ruling issued late Thursday afternoon says the San Diego County Water Authority has prevailed in the first phase of historic rate litigation against the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The statement of decision by San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Curtis E. A. Karnow affirmed his Feb. 25 tentative ruling in the Water Authority’s favor.
The litigation could save the San Diego region $2 billion in overcharges created by MWD’s illegal rates over 45 years.
Water Authority Reduces Capital Spending, Lowers Budget for Fiscal Year 2015
The San Diego County Water Authority today cut its current two-year budget by $37 million, or 2.5 percent, as part of its ongoing effort to reduce costs, adopt efficiencies and leverage partnerships while maintaining critical programs. It was the first time in at least a decade that the agency has de-appropriated money during a budget cycle because of savings in its Capital Improvement Program.
Water Authority Sues Metropolitan Water District over Rates for 2015 and 2016
The San Diego County Water Authority on Friday filed its third legal challenge against rates set by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, alleging that MWD’s rates for 2015 and 2016 aren’t based on the costs of providing the services. If allowed to stand, MWD’s rates for those two years alone would overcharge San Diego County ratepayers by $92 million; over 45 years, the total overcharges by MWD could exceed $2 billion.
San Diego County Water Authority Wins Landmark Ruling in Rate Challenge Against Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
In a major victory for the San Diego County Water Authority and water ratepayers throughout San Diego County, San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Curtis E. A. Karnow today tentatively ruled that in setting rates for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California violated cost of service requirements of California’s Constitution, statutes and common law. Specifically, Judge Karnow’s tentative determination is that MWD’s rates violate:
Water Authority Marks Tenth Anniversary of Historic Colorado River Accord
Ten years after the historic water pact was signed at Hoover Dam, the San Diego County Water Authority is commemorating the 2003 Colorado River Quantification Settlement Agreement, or QSA, for its role in enhancing the region’s economy and quality of life by improving long-term water supply reliability.