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City Utilities
The City of Lompoc has operated its citizen-owned water, wastewater and electric utilities since 1889,
1916 and 1923, respectively. Recently, based upon the results of a survey of residents and businesses, the
city established a fourth utility, broadband utility services, and began construction of a wireless Internet
network to make internet access available to all Lompoc residents at affordable rates.
- Lompoc Broadband
LompocNet is a city-owned Wireless Broadband service, also known as "Wi-Fi", operated and maintained by the Broadband and Electric Divisions of the Utilities Department. LompocNet offers affordable internet service to its utility customers and visitors from around the globe, with no contracts or hidden fees.
LompocNet is a 802.11g Wi-Fi Mesh network with over 200 Access Points, or radios transmitters, placed on City-owned streetlights throughout the city. The service is developing into a multi-use product, which in addition to providing internet service to utility customers, it will also support municipal operations.
Service is available within the city proper with Plans ranging from $4.99 to $15.99. There is even a Sampler Plan that offers 15 minutes of free service every two weeks. To sign-up for service using your Wi-Fi enabled device, just select SSID Lompocnet.com and open a web browser. For more information visit us on the web at www.LompocNet.com.
The city has also integrated the latest generation of customer premise equipment, or CPE, to improve the customer experience. In January 2009, the Wi-Fi system was utilized to begin a transition to read the city's water and electric meters. To learn more about the city's newest utility service, visit LompocNet.com or call 875-8755.
- Lompoc's Wastewater Treatment Upgrade Project
Lompoc's Wastewater Treatment Upgrade Project is the largest capital improvement project ever undertaken by the city. Currently being constructed under the direction of the Wastewater Division, the project will provide additional treatment to remove nutrients from wastewater, something the current plant cannot do. The upgraded plant will serve the City of Lompoc, the Vandenberg Village Community Service District and Vandenberg Air Force Base.
As of March 2009, the city’s prime contractor, Parsons RCI, has completed 84% of its construction activities. The upgraded plant will employ ultraviolet (UV) light disinfections as a replacement for current chemical disinfections system. The new UV disinfections will remove disease-causing organisms from the wastewater before it is discharged to the environment, without adding undesirable chemical by-products. Start-up of the first phase of the project is imminent with an expected construction completion date of August 2009.
- Lompoc City Electric
Lompoc City Electric system offers electrical rates that are on average approximately 18 percent lower than PG&E and SCE. The city also has an electrical incentive rate available for businesses that create jobs and add new electrical load. This program can help a power-conscious business save significant amounts of money. The city has the ability to finance the electrical expansion costs for new and expanding businesses potentially through its Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund. These loans are fully negotiable with low-interest rates and long terms. The city's incentive programs will further lower the cost of operation.
Lompoc City Electric is a member of Northern California Power Agency (NCPA). NCPA's geothermal generation projects, located in the rural mountains bordering Lake and Sonoma counties 70 miles north of San Francisco, were among the first projects to be certified by the State of California for green energy. Year after year, Lompoc maintains a minimum "carbon footprint" as it derives approximately 36 percent of its energy from this renewable resource and hydroelectric sources.
Economic Development Electrical Rate
- Lompoc's Water Division
Lompoc's Water Division's mission is to produce and deliver safe water. The city derives its water supply from nine local wells. The balance of the water system consists of four storage reservoirs, and approximately 134 miles of distribution pipe, valves and meters. The City of Lompoc is fortunate to have a water treatment plant that softens the water, and ensures that water is safe to drink. A well-trained, state-certified staff works 24/7 to ensure that water is safe.
Recently, a filter plant addition project was completed to upgrade the plant from a 7.5 million gallon/day (mgd) production capacity to a 10 mgd capacity. Other projects underway include replacing antiquated support equipment and transitioning to automated meter reading.
- Solid Waste
The city also has a residential commingled and green waste recycling program and has won a state award for reducing landfill trash by half during the first decade after the law was passed.
- Utility Rate Information
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