A more than six year long effort to turn a privately owned water system in Ventura County into a public one appears to be successful.
The Golden State Water Company and the Casitas Municipal Water District announced they’ve reached a $34.4 million dollar deal to take the private system in the Ojai Valley area public.
Some customers upset with what the felt were excessive fees charged by the Golden State Water Company launched the takeover push more than six years ago. The company said the fees were in line with costs in operating the system.
Takeover supporters convinced the Casitas District to do a feasibility study, which indicated that it could work financially.
The water company initially didn’t want to sell, but with the threat of a court ordered eminent domain takeover, a deal was eventually reached. The Water District’s board still has to approve the deal, and secure bond funding.
