Covina Boosts Water Rates

Almost eight months after the City Council rolled back water rates, it has increased them again, citing higher prices charged by the Metropolitan Water District.

The council on Monday unanimously approved the 5.7% increase recommended by Stan McCartney, the city’s finance director. The new rates will start in October.

The city has been forced to buy more MWD water because Covina Irrigating Co., which sells cheaper water, has failed to supply the city with a sufficient amount because of the drought, McCartney said.

A City Council-appointed committee in January charged that the city was artificially inflating water rates. However, the head of that committee said Wednesday that he does not believe that the current increase is out of line.

“The increase is necessary,” said Earl Purkhiser chairman of the now-disbanded committee. “Although I haven’t done an assessment of the city’s analysis, the cost of water in the years ahead will continue to rise.”