Fighting to survive, an Altadena water company is charging a new 'fire recovery fee'

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When the Eaton fire raged through neighborhoods in Altadena, the flames leveled three-quarters of the homes served by the tiny Las Flores Water Co.It also destroyed the roofs of two covered reservoirs where the utility stored drinking water.The company soon restored clean water to those homes left standing.

But the disaster has left it with costly repairs, and a sharp drop in income since most of its 1,500 customers haven’t yet rebuilt or reconnected their water.Attempting to avert financial failure, the private water company’s board now plans to start charging people a new “fire recovery fee” of about $3,000 over the next five years, or about $50 a month.

It’s the best way to avoid insolvency, said John Bednarski, president of the Las Flores board.Its reserves, now roughly $500,000, are shrinking.

“It’s a stopgap,” Bednarski said.“We need an infusion of sustainable funds to keep the company solvent.”The Eaton fire in January 2025 destroyed more than 6,000 homes and over 3,000 other structures.Las Flores Water Co.

is the smallest of three private water utilities in Altadena.All are grappling with budget problems after the fire and adopting plans to charge more.

Climate & Environment The January firestorms damaged water systems in large areas of Altadena and Pacific Palisades.In a new report, UCLA researchers examine the toll on 11 community water systems.Of the three, Las Flores faces the most severe cash-flow shortfall.

The increase in water bills is expected to be adopted soon, affecting hundreds of property owners, including some who still haven’t been able to return home.“It doesn’t feel fair,” said Morgan Z Whirledge, a member of the Altadena Town Council who lost his home.“That’s a lot for people to stomach, especially at a really vulnerable time.”The plan is adding yet another complication and more stress for people who are strug...