San Diego
San Diego homeowners soon will see an additional 50-cent per month charge on their water and sewer bills to pay for maintenance of the city’s storm drains, under a plan given initial approval Monday by the San Diego City Council.
A report on the new charge also warns that “costs for the storm drains program in future years will increase dramatically.” The city expects the federal Environmental Protection Agency to enact costly new legislation requiring removal of pollution from storm runoff, said Water Utilities Director Milon Mills Jr.
The new fee is designed to shift the cost of maintaining the city’s storm drains from the general fund to users of the city’s sewer and water systems. It would generate $800,000 during the fiscal year that ends June 30 and $2 million during the 1991 fiscal year.
Storm drains collect rain and runoff, from lawn sprinklers for example, and route it into the ocean via rivers or pipelines.
The 50-cent monthly charge will be for single-family homeowners. Multifamily buildings and industrial and commercial establishments will pay 4 cents per hundred cubic feet of water consumed, up to a maximum of $500 per month.
The new fee will take effect in 45 days if the council gives the ordinance a second, generally pro forma, approval.
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