San Diego residents to see major water rate hikes

On November 17, San Diego City Council will hold a public hearing on whether or not the city should increase its water rates by 17 percent. The increases would impact 275,000 customers.

The proposal would have two rate increases: 9.8 percent increase on January 1 and another 6.9 percent on July 1.

The proposed rate increases are being considered because of residents’ conservation efforts. Because residents are using less water, the water agency is seeing less revenue, which is having a negative impact on the city’s utility’s department.

The utility’s department is responsible for repaying bonds that were used for infrastructure projects and investments in new projects, the latest being the new Pure Water recycling program.

Utilities Director Halla Razak said the increased cost of importing water is the reason the rate increase is being considered.

In a study conducted by the city, this rate increase would mandate further rate increases in years to come: 6.9 percent in July 2017, 5 percent in July 2018 and another 7 percent in July 2019. Residents would see a 36 percent increase over a four-year period.