According to an article in The San Bernadino Sun, Councilman Sam Pedroza said Claremont could take out a nearly $80 million bond to purchase water rights in the city from the Golden State Water Company.
At issue is Golden State's attempts to raise water rates for its customers; originally, , but brought the increase down to 15 percent after settling with the Division of Ratepayers Advocates in court.
However, Mayor Larry Schroeder said in August that the rates were still too high for Claremont customers.
“Many of our residents are struggling to afford their current water rates. A 15% increase in one year is unacceptable,” Schroeder said.
The $80 million is an initial estimate for the cost of the water systems in the city. City Manager Tony Ramos said that a full appraisal of the systems would be finished in October.
The city's efforts against Golden State were helped by legislation signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Republican leader Bob Huff sponsored the bill, S.B. 1364, that requires more transparency from private water companies in regards to their rate increases.
