Letter: Concerned about Lompico water system

EDITOR,
As a resident of Lompico, I have been attending water board meetings and citizen advisory committee meetings in an effort to educate myself about our water system and possible merger with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District.
I am very concerned about the condition of our finances and water system. Lompico County Water District’s income barely covers the district’s current expenses, with no funds available for capital reserves for major projects. Our well pumps often run 24/7 to provide adequate water to the residents. A number of items in the system need maintenance or replacement, such as tanks, a water treatment plant, pressure-reducing valve rebuilds, laterals and water meters.
To continue receiving safe water, we appear to have two choices: continue along as usual, constantly in financial crisis and with a chronically short source of water supply, or merge with SLVWD, which has a staff of 24 people and millions in capital reserves. 
To continue local control without a bond, we will need to raise our ready-to-serve charge to fund a manager and provide a capital reserve for major projects, such as new tanks, and so on.  These two items would require a minimum of $50 added to each bimonthly water bill, resulting in an additional cost per water hook-up per year of $300.
The current bimonthly cost for 22 units of LCWD water is $138.18 versus the current cost of $71.41 with SLVWD — a yearly savings of about $400. The estimated average yearly payment for a bond with SLVWD would be about $400 added to our taxes. This would keep our overall water costs about the same as they are now.
If you would like to have a choice to consider a formal merger with SLVWD, please re-elect Lois Henry, Rick Harrington and Bill Smallman.
Brad Smith, Lompico