The Water Availability Assessment, also referred to as a Standby Charge, is an ANNUAL assessment by the Crestline Village Water District on each property within the District's boundaries. The funds derived from the Assessment are used for major upgrading and rehabilitation of the water system. Since all properties benefit from an improved water system, both improved and unimproved properties are assessed. 

In September 1985, the California Legislature amended the State Water Code pertaining to Water Standby or Availability Assessment charges, increasing the maximum permissible charge from $10.00 per acre or per parcel of less than one acre to $30.00. At a District Board of Directors' meeting held on April 17, 1986, the Board of Directors established an Availability Assessment on all parcels within the District in the following amounts:

• IMPROVED parcels - $15.00 per parcel for the first acre or portion thereof;
• UNIMPROVED parcels - $30.00 per parcel for the first acre or portion thereof; and
• ADDITIONAL ACREAGE - $15.00 per acre for each acre or portion thereof exceeding one acre. All parcels larger than one acre in size will be computed to the nearest one-tenth acre.

Resolution No. 507, Establishing the Water Availability Assessments for Fiscal Year 2023-24, was adopted at the Board of Director's Regular Meeting held on April 16, 2024. The amounts of the assessments have remained the same since fiscal year 1986-1987. 

The annual assessments are mailed about the 1st of May of each year to the property owners listed on our records. Payment is due by July 1st and becomes delinquent after July 15th. After July 15th, any unpaid assessments will be sent to the County of San Bernardino where a 6% penalty will be added, and the assessments will added to the Property Tax Bill for collection. The County adds an additional $.30 charge to the assessment for each parcel for collection purposes. 

All funds derived from the Availability Assessment are restricted for improvements to the water system; i.e., new water mains, fire hydrants, service laterals, upgrading of storage tanks, etc.

Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency also charged a Water Availability assessment or Standby Charge in an amount similar to the District's Assessment. Beginning in the fiscal year 1999-2000, they bill the property owners for this charge by adding the charge directly to the County of San Bernardino Property Tax Bill. 

Crestline-Lake Arrowhead Water Agency contracts with the State of California Department of Water Resources to purchase state water for resale, on a wholesale basis, to our District and to other retail water purveyors across the mountain. Their funds, derived under special legislative authority, are used for purposes similar to this District's.

We hope this explanation of these charges will help you understand the annual assessment on your parcel. 

DEFINITIONS:

• Parcel - a unit of property that receives a separate tax bill from the County of San Bernardino
• Improved - a parcel with a water service
• Unimproved - a parcel with no water service