FOUNTAIN VALLEY : City Votes to Hike Water Rate by 4.2%

The City Council this week voted to raise the water rate by 4.2% and eliminate a discount given to high-volume water users.

The increase means that an average household using 15,000 gallons a month will pay 88 cents more, or $22.04 a month.

The council approved the increase 4 to 1 Tuesday night. Councilman Guy Carrozzo cast the dissenting vote.

Wayne S. Osborne, public works director, said the Metropolitan Water District, which supplies 25% of the city’s water, has increased its rates. As a result, the city will pay an additional $190,000 a year for water.

The council’s action will offset the MWD rate increase, Osborne said.

He said high-volume water customers, such as schools and golf courses, will now pay 7% more for using more than 75,000 gallons of water a month. Giving a discount to high-volume customers offered no incentive to reduce water consumption, he said.

The new rate goes into effect Sept. 1.

The council in June had approved a 9.5% rate increase, based on rate increases by the Metropolitan Water District and the Orange County Water District.

The Orange County Water District had increased its rates in May to offset an expected loss in property tax revenue to the state, which never occurred.

The council protested the increase and asked the water district to reimburse customers for overpayment. In July, the water district board voted to credit cities for overpayment, resulting in the lower water rate increase for the city.