The Morning Report
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Statement: When talking about the way the Irvine Ranch Water District in Orange County charges its customers for water, San Diego water officials said:
Irvine Ranch took eight to 12 years to implement its rate structure, which sets monthly use targets for homeowners and businesses and charges them more if they exceed the goal.
Instituting that rate structure required Irvine staff to go door-to-door surveying homes.
The Irvine Ranch rate structure is legally suspect and would be ripe for a lawsuit.
Determination: False.
Analysis: It took six months to implement the rate structure. No door-to-door surveys were needed. Irvine Ranch has never been sued in the 20 years it’s used the structure. Water attorneys say it’s legal.
(It’s worth noting that San Diego’s deliberations about the structure have almost drawn one lawsuit — from VOSD. We threatened to sue the city after the Mayor’s Office wrongly withheld internal e-mails about its deliberations on the Irvine Ranch plan.)
— ROB DAVIS