L.A. Approves Higher Water, Electric Rates

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday formally adopted utility rate increases that will hike the average electrical bill by $2.45 and add 56 cents to the average water bill, while for the first time putting financial pressure on residents to conserve water during warm months.

The new Department of Water and Power rates, which will take effect in mid-November, will make summer water rates 11% higher than winter rates. The higher rates will be in effect from April through September.

During discussion last week before the council’s tentative approval of the hikes, council members said the water conservation rates are meant to send a signal to Northern Californians that Los Angeles residents are not water wasters. In coming years, Southern California is expected to be increasingly dependent on Northern California water, which northern residents have been reluctant to ship south.

The council’s approval of a split winter-summer rate system marks the first time any governing body in California has gone to such lengths to institute a conservation program.

Overall, water rates will jump 4.5%, hiking the average residential bill from $14.36 to $14.92. Commercial customers face rate increases of up to 5.7%, according to DWP figures. Residential electrical rates will rise an average of 8.9%, boosting the average bill to $29.92 from $27.47. Commercial power customers will be hit with a 10.5% higher rate.

DWP officials said the electric rate increases are necessary to finance new construction programs and meet maintenance costs.