FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Water Rate Hike Goes Into Effect March 7

A water rate hike approved by the City Council this week goes into effect March 7.

The 2% increase means that the average household water bill of about $21 will increase 42 cents a month, said Wayne Osborne, director of public works.

The Orange County Water District has increased a pump tax to the city for the water it pumps from the underground water basin, Osborne said. It will cost the city an additional $86,000 a year.

Osborne said 75% of the city’s water is from Orange County Water District. The remainder is purchased from Metropolitan Water District.

Last June, the council approved a 9.5% water rate increase, or $1.80 on an average household bill, to offset price increases by the Metropolitan Water District.

Councilman Guy Carrozzo, who voted against the latest increase, said, “They say it’s a pass-on (to consumers) but it’s a tax.” He said his vote reflects “what people are saying over and over”--to stop increasing taxes.

Osborne said the pump tax increase was approved by the water district board in September to offset a 35%, or $2.7-million, loss in property tax revenues.