Changes in Water, Sewer Rates OKd

Moving gingerly into a politically thorny area, the San Diego City Council on Wednesday conceptually approved changes in water and sewer rate formulas, but left undecided how those alterations will affect individual ratepayers.

The council, which last year rescinded a rate change plan in the face of strong protests from angry citizens whose bills increased even as their water use declined, tentatively passed a series of rate formulas governing water and sewer fees.

However, the council deferred decisions on the monthly usage amounts that will determine the formulas’ effect on average residential and commercial users’ bills until later this month, when city administrators will return with detailed financial breakdowns.

Even so, Councilman Bob Filner characterized Wednesday’s action as “substantial progress” on an issue that has periodically dogged the council for a year.

The measures approved by the council included a proposal by Councilman Tom Behr calling for a single-tier water rate for single-family homes based on consumption, and another plan by Councilwoman Abbe Wolfsheimer under which the same regulations will apply to multi-family complexes. Different formulas now are used to compute single- and multi-family bills.

Under the rate system now in place, the average single-family customer pays about $19 monthly for water, based on the use of 10,500 gallons, as well as $38 every two months for sewer services. The flat sewer fee has drawn criticism from ratepayers who complain that it penalizes those whose water conservation efforts not only save water but also lessen the strain on the city’s sewage system.

“It’s impossible to tell” whether average rates will increase or decease, City Manager Jack McGrory said, until the council chooses among options on rate calculation.