Anyone who wants to weigh in on the formation of Santa Clarita Valley’s new water district is invited to attend a public hearing Tuesday evening.
The public hearing begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 24, at the Newhall County Water District offices on Pine Street, west of Newhall Avenue.
Last week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 634 into law, creating one new all-encompassing water agency for the Santa Clarita Valley.
The changes go into effect Jan. 1, 2018.
For most SCV water users, the change is likely to go unnoticed with the same quality of water coming out of consumers’ taps.
Under the existing structure, the Castaic Lake Water Agency – the region’s water wholesaler – sells water to three main water retailers: the Valencia Water Company, the Santa Clarita Water District and the Newhall County Water District.
Under the existing structure, the Castaic Lake Water Agency – the region’s water wholesaler – sells water to three main water retailers: the Valencia Water Company, the Santa Clarita Water District and the Newhall County Water District.
The NCWD was the only retailer CLWA did not own.
Under the new structure, three evenly sized electoral divisions will provide equal voting rights and representation to all corners of the Santa Clarita Valley for the first time in the region’s history, according to local water officials.
Santa Clarita Valley residents are being invited to participate in the transition, beginning with a public meeting slated for next week.
Leaders from CLWA and NCWD are expected to hold public meetings in an effort to “develop an operational framework and policies,” water officials said Sunday.
“The Boards will have a series of joint public meetings over the next few months to prepare for the transition,” Steve Cole, NCWD general manager of the NCWD.
“The first of these will be on October 24 at NCWD,” he said.
The public is invited to attend a follow-up meeting set to take place at the Rio Vista Bravo Water Treatment Plant overlooking Central Park on Bouquet Canyon Road on Nov. 13.
A third meeting is in the works for Dec. 4 at a location still be determined
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