Report 2013-126 Recommendation 8 Responses

Report 2013-126: Antelope Valley Water Rates: Various Factors Contribute to Differences Among Water Utilities (Release Date: July 2014)

Recommendation #8 To: Los Angeles County Waterworks, District 40

To show water customers that they are attempting to keep rates reasonable, Los Angeles County Waterworks, District 40 should maintain documentation to demonstrate any cost savings expected or achieved as a result of its cost-saving efforts.

6-Month Agency Response

The County of Los Angeles established a webpage to show customers sustainability projects that demonstrate cost savings expected or achieved. These projects demonstrate cost-savings efforts throughout LA District 40 and other Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts. LA District 40 also shared this information with customers during a rate increase public meeting. LA District 40 continues to track additional cost-saving efforts as a result of ongoing projects such as renewable micro-hydropower, solar power systems, energy efficiency program, automatic meter reading systems, and leak studies, and will share this information with customers as opportunities arise.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

While the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works has demonstrated costs savings efforts throughout all five Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts, it will attempt to track and demonstrate those costs savings efforts separately for LA District 40. Since the issuance of the report, LA District 40 has not implemented any additional costs savings measures, and therefore, has not prepared documentation to track additional costs savings efforts for LA District 40.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken

Los Angeles County Waterworks, District 40 has not developed any written procedures to address the recommendation.

All Recommendations in 2013-126

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.