‘Landmark’ water deals help those outside of county more than residents – San Diego Union-Tribune

Re “San Diego rate relief to follow landmark water deals” (June 5): Residents should keep the following numbers and facts in mind.

The Carlsbad desalination plant is owned by foreign investors in Europe. San Diego County is paying for foreign investors’ profit, not for affordable water.

Desalinated water at the Carlsbad desalination plant costs $3,600-$4,000 per acre foot.

The most recent San Diego County Water Authority sale to Riverside County: $1,350 per acre foot, per NBC News 7. Padre Dam MWD ratepayers pay the authority $1,000 more per acre foot for water: $2,300 per acre foot.

Water rates in San Diego County will continue to go up.

At the last San Diego County Water Authority meeting in May, I asked this question: Why do out-of-county and out-of-state customers pay less than San Diego County customers? I have yet to receive an answer.

— Suzanne Till, Santee

Only in San Diego can residents be informed that an anticipated 3% cost increase amounts to water rate relief.

— Jan Nowakowski, Ramona