Long Beach : 9% Water Rate Increase Is Second One This Year
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Water rates in Long Beach are going up for the second time this year.
As of Sept. 1, the Water Department increased its rates by 9%, adding $1.18 a month to the bill of the average single-family residence and about 73 cents a month to the average apartment bill.
Water Department officials said the rate hikes are necessary to cover the increased cost of pumping and buying water from the Metropolitan Water District, its major supplier. The rising MWD charges stem from expansion projects, revenue declines resulting from drought conservation and the higher costs of meeting stricter water quality standards.
The latest rate increase comes on top of another 9% hike adopted in February related to the Water Department’s own construction projects, salary increases and conservation measures.
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