Council Panel Backs Water Rate Increase

A Los Angeles City Council committee on Tuesday endorsed a water rate increase that will raise the average customer’s bill by 5.9%, despite a report from city analysts that the increase is not needed.

Duane Georgeson, a Department of Water and Power assistant manager, said the increase is needed to generate $12 million for the remainder of the current fiscal year and $19 million next year, a revenue increase of at least 6.5%.

The rate hike is intended to pay for a variety of new projects, rehabilitate aging DWP facilities and pay for the increased cost of water from Mono Lake and the Owens Valley, as well as offsetting standing debts, Georgeson said.

But officials with the city administrative office said in a report that “the financial condition of the water system would remain sound without a rate increase this year.”