The policy of the State of California is that rates and charges established by the commission for water service provided by water corporations shall do all of the following:
- (a) Provide revenues and earnings sufficient to afford the utility an opportunity to earn a reasonable return on its used and useful investment, to attract capital for investment on reasonable terms and to ensure the financial integrity of the utility.
- (b) Minimize the long-term cost of reliable water service to water customers.
- (c) Provide appropriate incentives to water utilities and customers for conservation of water resources.
- (d) Provide for equity between present and future users of water service.
- (e) Promote the long-term stabilization of rates in order to avoid steep increases in rates.
- (f) Be based on the cost of providing the water service including, to the extent consistent with the above policies, appropriate coverage of fixed costs with fixed revenues.