Carpinteria Valley Water District voted 5-0 to bill previously approved CAP capital charges monthly from January 2027 ($47.92 for a typical agricultural meter; $8.98 for a typical residential meter). It reviewed a $7 million Smiley well estimate and deferred a $67,252.50 design amendment requiring $25,000 in added authorization. It also adopted turf-watering restrictions, retaining prior water-waste rules; single-family homes are exempt.
The board approved Resolution 046: FY28 fees use estimated pumping, while 2027 meter data inform FY29 fees. Unmetered pumping after January 1, 2027 faces FY29 fees based on estimated pumping and the highest crop factor. Meters bought after October 14 must have encoder output. Owners must read meters monthly and report quarterly until AMI data is verified. The tampering fee rises from $180 to $300 and covers pulse settings.
Staff proposed shifting metered pumping data collection to Jan. 1, 2027, allowing more time for AMI endpoint installation and meter configuration. The board discussed narrowing future meter options toward Badger/encoded-output compatibility and staff said it would return with proposed policy revisions. Staff also proposed monthly self-reported reads submitted quarterly during the transition. The board approved a CAP well drilling contract to Pacific Coast Well Drilling for $7,158,745.
The Carpinteria Valley Water District Board voted 3-2 to place CAP project capital charges on the property tax roll for FY 2026-27 amid strong public opposition. In the subsequent GSA meeting, staff reported well registration at 49%, with meters due by July 31 ahead of the August 31 compliance deadline and penalty billing discussed for September 1. A $20,000 public outreach contract with Two Trumpets Communications was approved.
Water supplies remain strong (Cachuma ~94% full). The board authorized selling up to 2,100 AF of 2026 State Water at $400/AF (up to $840,000) and approved an on-call contract with Pueblo Water Resources for $20,000. The board adopted Resolution 1183 approving the 2025 UWMP/Water Shortage Contingency Plan, assuming CAP online in 2029 (~1,000 AFY).
