Jim Barrett Resigned! - San Diego's water leader steps down

San Diego's water leader resigned - UCAN success story? Read more after the jump.

Baseline Water Department Fees: Not just a drop in an already large bucket

Rising water costs! Panic! Chaos! Anarchy! Recently, we've received many calls from loyal members and viewers rightfully angry about their high water bills. While we are ramping up to scrutinize City Water & Sewer department rates and operations, we want to give you an explanation of a portion of your bill--specifically, the baseline fees.

Water Terror Tales: Horrors Visited upon Customers from San Diego City's Water/Sewer Departments

You live in another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but also really wet......well, if you are near a faucet or toilet.  So join us on a disburbing journey into a world of water and sewer service in the City of San Diego whose bureaucratic machinations and obstructions transcend the imagination. There's a signpost up ahead - your next stop, the San Diego Water Zone! 

Utility in hot water over bonus money paid to Water Dept. employees

flushing money down the toilet
In the last year, the City of San Diego Water Department paid out $6.9 million in bonus money to its workers, and a total of $28 million in the last three years.  Most employees (an estimated 90%) got between $1,500 and $4,700. Others received more.  Full Story.

City Water Dept. audit raises questions about bonuses and overstated savings

A city water audit shows $2.8 million in bonuses may be soaking the ratepayers

Michael Turko Water Rate Protest Interview With UCAN

KUSI's Michael Turko explores the way in which the City of San Diego sought to avoid public input on a proposed water rate hike. Watch the video.

San Diego City Water Rate Hike Protest Due SOON

City's innocuous protes mailingSAN DIEGO WATER CUSTOMERS--ALERT:  IF YOU CAN'T FIND THE FORM NEEDED TO PROTEST THE WATER RATE INCREASE BEFORE 11/17/09, USE OURS OR WRITE YOUR OWN LETTER TO: City Clerk, Mail Station No. 2P, City Administration Bldg., 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101.  The public hearing starts at 10:00 AM.  Read more

San Diego City Water Department engaged in very strange and misleading behavior

Faucet with money flowing into sinkRob Davis at the non-profit Voice of San Diego has us asking if the Water Department is misinformed, disingenuous, or merely insane. Full Story

Value of water rebates questionable

money made with artificial turf
Spend $4,000 covering your lawn in artificial turf, and you might get an $80.00 rebate. Rooty Toot!

WATER UTILITY PHYSICS -- Usage goes down but prices may go up!

Message #1:   "Conserve Water or pay more!"
Message #2:   "Rates must go up due to low sales volume!

According to the physicist/economists at the water utilities, what goes down must go up.   They aren't standing on their heads, either.  They claim that your rates could go up because you're not using ENOUGH water. Click here for the full story.


John Mattes is an embedded reporter for the New Media Rights Community Journalism Project investigating UCAN issues.

  • UCAN's embedded reporter John Mattes investigates a nearly $4 increase on your bill for water each month ! Do something about it!

    Grab the protest form from the UCAN website and mail it in to: CITY CLERK, MAIL STATION NO. 2P, CITY ADMINISTRATION BLDG., 202 C STREET, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101

Water Bill issues? The Fraud Squad can help!


Need help resolving a dispute with a company? Get individualized help with your dispute from the Fraud Squad by using our Online Complaint Forms. Once you've filled out a complaint, call the Fraud Squad Hotline at (619) 696-6966!

The Hose Whisperer Teaches Water Conservation

Learn to conserve water, meet the hose whisperer!

Water Rate Increase 2007

The City of San Diego is committed to increasing water and sewer rates for the 2008 fiscal year. The current proposal leaves many questions to be answered regarding rate structure and the disproportionate increase of rates for some customer classes, while others receive reductions.

Sewer Refund Settlement 2006

After over two years of litigation, the City and UCAN's Executive Director Michael Shames have agreed to a settlement that would return about $40 million to overcharged residential customers and, perhaps more importantly, allow for the creation of independent oversight of City water and sewer operations. Check out this Issue Center for everything you need to know about the refund!



Like what you see? Go ahead and show your support! UCAN is a truly independent non-profit watchdog organization, dependent on grassroots donations like yours!

Utility Consumers' Action Network

(619) 696-6966 or file a complaint about a company online.

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