Court rules tiered water rates violate state constitution
The stakes are high because at least two-thirds of California water providers, including many in the Bay Area, use some form of the tiered rate system.
Gov. Jerry Brown immediately lashed out at the decision, saying it puts “a straitjacket on local government at a time when maximum flexibility is needed. My policy is and will continue to be: Employ every method possible to ensure water is conserved across California.”
Brown added state lawyers are now reviewing the decision.
It remained unclear Monday evening what effect the ruling would have on other agencies that use tiered rates.