A to Z Law is representing Pleasant Valley County Water District, the largest agricultural water retailer in Ventura County, as an intervenor in City of San Buenaventura v. United Water Conservation District.
Under state law, Pleasant Valley is subject to ground water pumping fees imposed by United Water Conservation District. Among other regulations, the California Water Code authorizes a pumping charge for industrial and municipal users that is three times higher than that charged for agricultural users. The City of Ventura filed the action seeking to invalidate those fees on constitutional grounds.
The substance of the City of Ventura’s claim is that United’s groundwater pumping fees violate certain constitutional and statutory limits on rate setting, and the common law of utility rate-making. The outcome of this case will have significant economic impacts on agricultural growers in Ventura County, and is likely to be of statewide interest to California’s agricultural community.
Pleasant Valley is being represented by A to Z Law attorneys Dennis O. LaRochelle and Susan L. McCarthy.