When it comes to water, honesty matters as much as infrastructure. On Tuesday, the San Diego City Council narrowly approved a two-year water rate increase — 14.7 percent next year and 14.5 percent the following year — rejecting staff’s push for a four-year plan. The Council’s message was clear: They want answers and accountability, not finger-pointing. … Water independence is desirable — but not at any price. San Diego already enjoys one of the most diversified and reliable water portfolios in the West, built over decades of investment by the San Diego County Water Authority. Our region is not facing an immediate supply cliff that demands a “build-everything-now” approach.
–Written by Jim Madaffer, a member and past chair of the Water Authority Board of Directors representing the city of San Diego.