LUCERNE, Calif. – California Water Service Co. will host a rate workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 24, to provide information about the company’s general rate case application filed with the California Public Utilities Commission for its Lucerne water system.

The workshop will be held at 6 p.m. in Lucerne Elementary School's gym/multi-purpose room, located at 3351 Country Club Dr. in Lucerne.

On July 5, Cal Water applied to the CPUC for approval to begin increasing rates in 2014.

Altogether, the company is seeking a 77-percent increase between 2014 and 2016.

The utility’s last general rate case was filed in 2009 and became effective in 2011.

Representatives from Cal Water will provide details about planned water system improvements, how rates are set, and other important information about water rates.

Audience members also will have an opportunity to ask questions.

“We want to help customers understand the GRC filing and the rate-setting process,” said Redwood Valley District Manager Gay Guidotti. “Any increase approved by the CPUC would not become effective until 2014, and our rate workshop will be followed by a formal public hearing hosted by the CPUC next year.”

Concerns about the rate increase and the potential impact on the Lucerne community led to a discussion before the Board of Supervisors over the summer.

At that time, community members raised issues with billing, fairness and concerns about the impact on business and residents.

Cal Water serves about 3,600 people through 1,900 service connections in its Redwood Valley District – including Lucerne – where it has provided water since 2000.

More information is available at www.calwater.com .