BUENA PARK : Water Rate Increase Postponed 2 Months

Because of credits the city is getting from the Orange County Water District, city officials say they are postponing a water rate increase that was to go into effect this month.

The City Council in July approved a 15% increase in water rates, which was to go into effect Aug. 1.

However, since the council action, the city was notified that the Orange County Water District plans to roll back its rates for fiscal 1993-94.

As a result, city officials said the water-rate increase approved by the council can be postponed two months. The credits by the Orange County Water District will offset the city’s loss of revenue that would have been generated by the new rate going into effect this month, officials said.

The council approved delaying the water rate increase last week.

The city’s water rate increase was necessary because of the increased charges to buy water from the Orange County Water District and Metropolitan Water District, city officials said.

Currently, customers pay 81 cents for every 1,000 gallons of water. With the new rates, customers will pay 93 cents for every 1,000 gallons. The average monthly bill for customers using 1,000 to 9,000 gallons of water a month, which includes a 15% increase in the base water meter charge, and the new rate for consumption will be $12.96, instead of $11.29.