By Mike Allen

April 4, 2016 (Boulevard) --Customers of tiny Live Oak Springs Water Co. in Boulevard are worried that a pending 44 percent increase to their water bills won’t provide them with better service, and is nothing more than a bailout to the water company that remains in bankruptcy.

When the California Public Utilities Commission convenes April 7 the commission will likely grant Live Oak its rate increase, which is on the consent calendar. That will send average water bills to $107 a month, from the current average $74, according to the proposed resolution). Yet some customers say instead of helping the company, the PUC should replace the woeful management of Live Oak Springs Water.

“If it’s in bankruptcy, why in God’s name are they allowing him to run the water district?,” says Paul Isham, a 27-year resident of the area at the eastern edge of San Diego County. Isham said Live Oak pumped water from a stream near his property several years ago that caused his well to dry up. The action forced Isham to greatly curtail a small ranch business.

Company had flood of violations, including providing unsafe drinking water and illegally selling water to SDG&E and other contractors

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2013 (Live Oak Springs) – Chief Administrative Law Judge Karen V. Clopton with the California Public Utilites Commission has issued a decision recommending that  owners of Live Oak Springs Water Company be fined $1 million for violations that have put public health at risk.  The CPUC proposal would  ask the Superior Court to appoint a receiver to take possession of the property , including the bankrupt Live Oak Springs resort, and operate the water system.

“Nazar Najor, the controversial owner, has been selling water to large construction projects without authorization from his small regulated water district that is meant to serve Live Oak Springs ratepayers,” said Donna Tisdale, chair of the Boulevard Planning Group.

July 25, 2010 (Live Oak Spring) –  Crystal Lopez, 15, has been identified as the victim in a fatality rollover accident that occurred shortly after 10 a.m. July 24 on I-8 east near Crestwood Road.  Lopez died and her mother was also injured. 

 According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office, the mother was driving when she heard a “pop” and lost control of the vehicle.