Case Information

About This Case

CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT FOR RIVERSIDE COUNTY

NOTICE OF CLASS ACTION AND PROPOSED SETTLEMENT

If you were a Mission Springs Water District (“District”) customer between March 6, 2019, and May 18, 2022, and were billed and/or paid any amount to the District for water service that was billed using estimates rather than operational metered use, this class action settlement affects your rights. 


  • A class action lawsuit captioned Padilla v. Mission Springs Water District, with Case Number RIC2003782 (“Lawsuit”), was filed in Riverside County Superior Court, and alleges that the District improperly used estimates in determining the amount customers owed for water services.
  • The District denies any wrongdoing and denies the claims and allegations asserted in the Lawsuit. The court has not ruled on the merits of the plaintiffs’ claims and has made no determination of violations or liability against the District. The parties nevertheless have agreed to settle the Lawsuit (“Settlement”) to avoid the expense and risk of continued litigation.
  • You may receive a refund as part of this Settlement if you were a District customer between March 6, 2019, and May 18, 2022, and were billed and/or paid any amount to the District for water service that was billed using estimates rather than operational metered use.
  • Your legal rights are affected by whether you act or don’t act. Read this notice carefully.

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT

RECEIVE A REFUND

If You are a Current District Customer and paid Tier 2 rates during the relevant time period: Do nothing, Receive a Credit. You may automatically receive a credit on a future water bill if you are a District Customer when this Settlement receives final approval by the Court.

If You are a Former District Customer and paid Tier 2 rates during the relevant time period: Do nothing, Receive a Check. You may receive a check from the Settlement Administrator when this Settlement receives final approval by the Court.

EXCLUDE YOURSELF

Get no refund. This is the only option that allows you to ever be part of any other lawsuit against the District about the legal claims in this case.

OBJECT

Write to the Court about why you don’t like the Settlement.

GO TO A HEARING

Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement.

The Court in charge of this case must still decide whether to grant final approval of the Settlement. Refund payments will be made if the Court grants final approval and after appeals, if any, are resolved. Please be patient.

Important Dates

Preliminary Approval Order

10/26/2022


Notification Mailing

11/01/2022


Opt Out Deadline

01/30/2023


Objection Deadline

02/23/2023


Final Approval Hearing

03/15/2023