Sierra Madre : Water Table Down, Rates Up
The City Council voted unanimously last week to raise water rates nine cents per 100 cubic feet starting this month to offset an increase in pumping costs caused by a low water table.
The increase, to 78 cents per 100 cubic feet, will mean the bill for a homeowner using 4,000 cubic feet of water per billing cycle would rise from $27.60 to $31.20.
City Administrator James E. McRea said that, despite recent rains, the water table is still about 300 feet below the surface, and the energy required to bring it to the surface continues to cost the city more than usual.
In a related matter, the council Tuesday approved a $29,000 capital project to rehabilitate a city water pump. It was taken out of service last summer to prevent any damage that could have been caused by it pumping air due to the low water table.
Beylik Drilling Inc. of La Habra will recondition the pump and lower it further into its shaft to get it below the water level.
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