Shut Off Policy Update
Please read our updated policy regarding our Shut Off Policy should your residential water service account go delinquent due to nonpayment.
Statewide Tax on Water Bills
At our annual Members meeting and again at the Board Meeting on August 4th, the Company warned those present of the States utilization of Governor Brown’s drought declaration to impose laws that could require our customers to pay a tax based on your water bill or usage.
Gov. Brown Declares State Wide Drought
On July 15, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) at the direction of Gov. Brown, approved an emergency regulation to ensure that all water agencies, their customers and state residents increase water conservation or face possible fines or legal action. With this regulation, all Californians will be required to stop using potable water to: wash down sidewalks and driveways; water outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff; or wash a motor vehicle without a hose that is fitted with a shut-off nozzle. The State has implemented fines of up to $500 per day for individuals who violate their mandate. Water agencies could face fines of up to $10,000 a day for not imposing the Gov. Browns wishes.
Further information on this regulation can be found on the State Board’ website at:
Improved Fire Insurance Rating
Customers within the Pine Valley Mutual Water Company’s service are now able to benefit from an improved fire insurance rating. This rating may result in lower insurance coverage rates for our customers. This rating was provided by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) which provides the information which relates to fire risks and the ability of a community to provide fire protection. The Pine Valley Mutual Water Company’s Service area has received a rating of 4. This is an improvement over the past rating of 5. The classification is based on three items. First, the fire communication system. Second, the fire department and third, in this case, the Water Company and its community wide fire protection system. The complete rating for the Pine Valley Fire Protection District was a 4/9 with the 4 being in the area’s served by Pine Valley Water and the 9 being area’s outside our water system boundaries.
It should be noted that each insurance company independently determines the premiums it charges its policy holders. The way an insurer uses ISO’s information on public fire protection may depend on several things, however, ISO’s Public Protection Classification Program (PPC) plays an important role in the underwriting process at insurance companies. In fact, most U.S. Insurers use PPC information as part of their decision making when deciding what business to cover, type of coverage’s to offer and the prices to charge for personal or commercial property insurance.
The Pine Valley Mutual Water Company is proud of its part in obtaining this “4” rating for it’s customers and encourages all to make sure your insurance agent is aware of this improvement so that any possible saving may be passed on to you.