Most county residents do not pay a bill directly to the Santa Clara Valley Water District, instead they pay their local water retailers. The cost local residents pay the retailers, however, is affected by the cost to the district of supplying that water.

The water district’s major costs include operations, debt service, capital improvements to the treatment and delivery system, and water purchases from outside the county.

To avoid large water charge increases in any year, the water district develops 10-year projections so that charges can be increased gradually when needed.

The following pages offer more information on how the water district manages water resources in a practical, cost-effective manner:

• How can people lower their water bill?
  Save water and money through conservation

• Current water charges