In regard to water bills, a public company’s rates, like California American Water, compared to a private company’s rates (a company that is not publicly traded), like City of Thousand Oaks, are quite a bit higher.

Why, you might ponder. It’s because the public companies are under a contradictory set of guidelines.

Unlike the private companies like the City of T.O. that are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission, the publicly traded companies are not and charge what they want. They set their own rates.

Now that should sting more than the city’s recent increase, especially if you are under the private umbrella. If the city is run efficiently and prudently they can see a reasonable return, but no guarantees.

I hope neighbors watching their water run off into streets will rethink how to adjust their sprinkler systems. We take so much for granted. Push a button and get water.

Being a veteran I guess I see it differently. Taking a shower after 18 hours to arise abruptly in less than three hours was not all that unusual. Sometimes I soaped down and the water was gone. You just crash with that soap on your body. I even have taken showers with a cup of water and I was thankful.

You look through a different lens when you experience things like that, as my fellow veterans know. That was back in the ’60s when I was 18 and invincible.

I think I am now going to take a pleasant three- minute shower if the water turns on then write out a check to cover the water bills. I have properties under both umbrellas.

Steve Goldstein
Thousand Oaks