MWD & DWP To Possibly Merge

Big Bear, Ca, April 11, 2011, 5:00pm – According to the City of Big Bear Lake, “valley residents may soon reap the benefits of a combined water district.”  Today the Department of Water and Power (DWP) Board of Commissioners voted to engage in discussions with the Big Bear Municipal Water District (MWD) regarding the potential cost and benefits of the MWD acquiring the DWP water system.  DWP Chairman Steve Foulkes stated “Our goal and expectations are that we can achieve significant cost savings that could be used to reduce rates or accelerate water infrastructure replacement or both and at the same time create a better long term water management structure.”  According to the city, some of the potential benefits of a combined water district would be elminination of one layer of government, possible significant reduction in water rates, or acceleration of water infrastructure replacement, reduced administrative, property tax, debt service and other costs.  Chairman Foulkes further stated: “This strategic business combination with MWD, will further the DWP’s mission statement to more cost effectively deliver quality water to meet the needs of our current and future customers.”

[audio:https://kbhr933.com/wp-content/uploads/SP30611.mp3|titles=DWP MWD Possible Merge April ]