Increase in Garbage, Sewer Rates Approved

Glendale City Council members unanimously approved rate increases this week for garbage collection and sewer use, and are on the verge of approving a third hike for water use, all of which will be passed on to residents and businesses.

Garbage collection will increase 60 cents a month to $6.60 for single-family homes, and sewer service will go up 55 cents a month to $4.30 for a single-family home, said George A. Miller, Glendale director of public works. Both increases will take effect Aug. 1.

The 10% garbage rate increase was necessary to recoup losses from the curtailment of dumping at Glendale’s Scholl Canyon Landfill.

The nearly 15% hike in sewer rates will help pay for modifications to the city of Los Angeles’ obsolete system that processes Glendale’s sewage, Miller said. Los Angeles estimates the cost of improvements at $3.4 billion, Miller said.

City officials are also expected next week to approve a 7.5% increase in water service, or about $1.60 for the average home. The increase, scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, marks the first water rate hike in four years, Miller said.