February Updates
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Water Quality
During 2025, LAWC fulfilled EPA and State Division of Drinking Water requirements by sampling Bear Lake for PFAS. PFAS are also known as “forever chemicals” and are a persistent group of chemical compounds that can be found in water sources, especially ground water. As a surface water source, Bear Lake had to be sampled quarterly for one year. LAWC collected quarterly samples in 2025. Thankfully, all samples collected had no detectable concentration of PFAS.
Also in 2025, as required by the State Division of Drinking Water, LAWC sampled Bear Lake for Hexavalent Chromium. The Bear Lake sample collected had no detectable concentration of Hexavalent Chromium. LAWC will continue to sample annually as required.
The PFAS sampling was a one-time expense and was not included in the last General Rate Case that LAWC filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in 2024. The lab costs for 4 quarterly samples were $4200. LAWC has submitted a request to the CPUC to recover those expenses through a customer surcharge. If granted, the surcharge will be distributed on the March invoice as detailed below:
Customer Type One-Time PFAS Surcharge
For 5/8 SFH meter $7.67
For condo unit $7.67
For 3/4-inch meter $11.51
For 1-inch meter $19.18
For 1-1/2-inch meter $38.36
For 2-inch meter $61.37
For 3-inch meter $115.07
For 4-inch meter $191.78
Next General Rate Case
LAWC completed its last general rate filing to the CPUC almost two years ago in February 2024. Those rates went into effect in December 2024 and were adjusted by the Consumer Price Index in June 2025. As many of you are also experiencing, LAWC’s insurance rates dramatically rose during 2025. Other costs have increased, too. In order to keep up with expenses and to continue infrastructure improvements and repairs, LAWC has submitted for a general rate review by the CPUC during 2026.
California Public Utilities Commission Process
The CPUC staff will make a thorough review of LAWC’s request. Following the review, the CPUC may grant LAWC’s request in whole, in part, or may deny it. It may also order the utility to charge rates different from those submitted by LAWC. After the initial review has been completed and rates are drafted, a notice to customers will be sent and a public hearing will be scheduled. LAWC will keep you informed with inserts and enclosures accompanying future invoices.
Annual Water Quality Report
The 2025 annual Water Quality report will be mailed to all customers with the April 2026 invoices. This summary of completed water quality sampling provides important information about Bear Lake and finished water quality as well as the annual budget breakdown and completed summer projects.