… Currently, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is considering a flawed proposal that threatens to dismantle a mechanism called decoupling, a proven method of incentivizing water conservation while keeping consumer costs affordable. Decoupling separates water sales from a utility provider’s revenue, allowing providers to promote conservation without compromising their financial stability. This means essential water use remains affordable while higher usage is charged at steeper rates, encouraging responsible consumption. By protecting the economic viability of utility providers, decoupling has played a crucial role in ensuring reliable water access and more efficient use of water resources across California.
—Written by Mary Ann Dickinson, founder and past CEO of the Alliance for Water Efficiency and Tia Fleming, co-executive director of the California Water Efficiency Partnership