Important Links: Proposition 218 Notice (PDF) | FY 2027 Water Rate Schedule (PDF) | Water Rate Study (PDF) | Water Rate Calculator 

The Board of Directors of the Carpinteria Valley Water District (Board) has scheduled a formal Public Hearing for Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Carpinteria City Hall, 5775 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013, to consider adoption of proposed water rates and charges for fiscal years (FY) 2027, 2028, and 2029.

The District authorized a comprehensive rate study, developed with an independent rate consultant, to evaluate cost of service and inform proposed water rates in compliance with Proposition 218. The proposed rates are designed to address rising treatment costs, inflation, and major capital investments in local water-supply reliability.

The rate study included the following scope of updates:

• Three-year rate adjustment covering FY 2027, FY 2028, and FY 2029
• Updated financial plan to cover operating, capital, and debt service costs
• Introduction of new Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP) charges on water bills and property tax rolls
• Review of Basic, State Water Project, CIP, O&M, and Fire Service charges
• Revised Capital Improvement Program cost projections

If adopted, customers will see adjustments to existing rates and new charges to support the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP). The proposed rates and charges will become effective on July 1 of each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

The primary drivers of these proposed adjustments are:

Water supply reliability: The District is investing in three major capital projects—the Carpinteria Advanced Purification Project (CAPP), the Smillie Well Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project, and the Carpinteria–Casitas Partnership Intertie Project—to strengthen the local water supply during future prolonged droughts.

Emergency preparedness: The District is transitioning to on-site disinfection chemical generation and upgrading critical infrastructure to ensure a resilient and reliable water system.

Infrastructure repair and replacement: Investments include rehabilitation of Headquarters Well, inspection of aging pipelines, and upgrades to remote monitoring systems.

Regulatory compliance: Improvements are planned for the Clearwell reservoir at the Cater Water Treatment Plant to provide seismic protections and maintain compliance with water quality standards, which—combined with inflationary pressures—will increase the cost of treated water.

The District offers bill assistance to qualified low-income customers and provides payment plans to help customers get back on track with their accounts. To learn whether you qualify for bill assistance or a payment plan, please contact the District at (805) 684-2816.

To calculate your personalized bill estimate, use the Water Bill Calculator tool.

El Distrito es bilingüe. Para información sobre los aumentos, favor de llamar a la oficina al (805) 684-2816.