An open letter to the California Public Utilities Commission:

We the citizens of Lucerne, California, and customers of California Water Service, would like to take this opportunity to oppose California Water Services' proposed rate hike.

Their last rate hike went into effect last year, and our only benefit has been warnings of high THM levels, and a 5 day “boil your water” notice. This resulted in hardships for many of residents here, not the least of whom were the restaurants and schools.

California Water Service did grudgingly provide individual gallon jugs of drinking water, but this wasn't widely advertised,and most of the local ratepayers were not made aware of the opportunity.

The company has secured a loan for the upgrade of the water plant, and still hasn't even gotten that off the ground. The original plans for the new plant were far beyond the simple requirements for Lucerne, and would have resulted in even higher rates for a “gold-plated system.”

Lucerne is NOT a wealthy community, and doesn't need a company whose sole function is to profit as much as possible at the expense of its citizens.

We strongly urge you to reject California Water Services proposed rate hike. Lucerne needs actually drinkable water, not higher rates.

Craig Bach is a director of the Lucerne Community Water Organization, and writes on behalf of that organization and LucerneFLOW.

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