UPDATED: San Clemente Raises Water, Sewer Rates

In San Clemente residents' September water and sewer bills -- the ones that account for August usage -- a 6- and 4-percent increase will show up as a result of the city raising rates.

Despite a couple dozen written protests mailed into the city, the San Clemente City Council voted to go with staff recommendations to raise rates Tuesday. No one spoke out at the public hearing opened to discuss the matter.

For an outline of why water and sewer officials say the rate increases are necessary, read the following May 31 preview article:

Water and sewer rates in San Clemente may go up by 6 and 4 percent, respectively, if the San Clemente City Council votes in favor of staff recommendations Tuesday.

Staffers in their agenda report say the 6-percent increase is necessary to offset the increasing costs for imported water from the Metropolitan Water District, where San Clemente gets the vast majority of its water.

The increase will bring in about $707,000 to keep the water running in San Clemente. The department has already cut electricity, maintanence, rental equipment and other costs by more than $50,000, according to the report.

If the rate hike is approved, the average monthly residential bill will jump by $2.81 to $50.03. The average commercial bill will jump by $10.50 to $191.24.

The 4-percent increase in sewer rates will bring in $340,000 to the department, according to the report. Predictions in previous years showed a need for an 8-percent raise in rates this year, but the city reorganized staffing and has installed new, more efficient equipment at the treatment plant which will reduce operating costs by more than $110,000, according to the staff report.

The increase, if approved, will raise the average residential sewer bill by $1.44 to $38.70. The average commercial bill will increase by $8 to $214.85.

The city last hiked water and sewer rates by 12.6 percent and 6 percent, respectively, in June of 2011. Costs are only expected to go up through 2018, according to the reports, so residents should expect more rate hike hearings in the coming years.

If approved, this year's rate increases will take effect Aug. 1.

The San Clemente City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers, 100 Ave. Presidio.