The Calleguas Municipal Water District board of directors unanimously voted May 6 to delay a new rate increase imposed by its supplier until January 2010.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the primary provider of imported water to regional water districts in Southern California, recently announced that the rate it charges the districts would increase by nearly 20 percent beginning in September.

"Metropolitan's rate increase is most certainly a shock to the system and comes at a particularly difficult time given current economic conditions and persistent drought," said Ted Grandsen, Calleguas board chair.

The increase is largely due to the need to secure additional water supplies as a result of pumping restrictions in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta.

Calleguas' board elected to delay applying the new charges to give area water providers time to incorporate the rates into their own rate structures. In some instances, state law stipulates that water agencies notify customers and meet other requirements before new rates are imposed.

"Calleguas did not support Metropolitan's new rates as formulated and aggressively expressed that opposition directly to Metropolitan's board and staff," Grandsen said. "Although we are bound by Metropolitan's decision, we are compelled to assist our customers in rolling out these new charges in a manner that helps them meet any procedural or administrative challenges they may have."

Calleguas General Manager Don Kendall said California's ever-growing population has put a strain on a water system that hasn't seen a huge overhaul in many years.

"For decades, competing interests for water resources in (the delta) have essentially paralyzed efforts to improve water supply conditions," Kendall said. "We need real change, and we need it now."

He said the problem continues to frustrate regional water officials, and cities will be asked to find new sources of water and introduce better water recycling facilities to reduce the amount of water Ventura County cities import.

"It is important to note that Calleguas and its member agencies have taken significant steps in recent years to reduce the region's dependence on imported water systems by developing local resources, such the Las Posas Basin Aquifer and Recovery Program and recycled water projects," Kendall said. "Nevertheless, a reliable delta system will always remain a key component of our water resource mix."

Calleguas is one of 26 member agencies of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and is the primary water supplier for Southern Ventura County, including Simi Valley, providing water service to more than 550,000 people.