The Independent Budget Analyst’s Office today released its assessment of Mayor Jerry Sanders’ response to the county grand jury’s report on the region’s water supply. A couple of interesting tidbits are in there. They offer some insight into Sanders’ views on the region’s water supply.
The Mayor’s Office offered this assessment of the city’s supply:
There is no doubt that the City of San Diego’s water supply reliability is challenged but it is far from bleak.
The IBA agreed. And Sanders’ office had this to say about the reason the city has been slow to connect new customers to its purple-pipe system to distribute recycled water.
[C]osts can be quite high for existing potable customers interested in retrofitting their current plumbing system to accept recycled water. The rate currently charged by the City for recycled water is $350 per acre foot, approximately 30 percent of the rate charged to commercial and industrial customers for potable water. The low rate for recycled water does limit the City’s ability to expand the recycled water pipeline system.
The IBA also agreed.