Crescenta Town Council Irate Over Boost in Sewerage Fees
Members of the Crescenta Valley Town Council have voted to protest an increase in sewer fees that will more than double next month for 23,000 residents of the rural foothill community served by the Crescenta Valley County Water District.
The quasi-government board, which has no official power but which serves as the voice of the unincorporated territory north of Glendale, voted 6 to 3 last week to send letters objecting to the increase to local, state and federal officials.
The monthly sewer service charge for residential customers will increase in September from $8.40 to $20, according to water district officials.
Jump of 138%
Bills for multiple-unit dwellings and commercial users also will jump by 138%, officials said.
The increase is needed to pay the community’s share of the cost of improvements and expansion of the Hyperion sewage treatment plant in Los Angeles, estimated by Los Angeles city officials to cost more than $3.4 billion.
Thomas Johnston, council president, said the fee increase has angered many residents.
“There is widespread frustration with the City of L.A. doing whatever the City of L.A. chooses to do, and meantime sending the bill to the subscribers,” Johnston said.
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