LAGUNA BEACH : Water Rates Go Up, Sewer Fees Decrease

Water rates for customers in the South Coast Water District went up, but sewer rates decreased on bills sent out this week, officials said.

The water rates increased by 3.7%, reflecting an increase in the price the district pays to buy its water, said Linda Jones, the district’s assistant general manager. The rate for each 100 cubic feet of water increased from $1.83 to $1.90, resulting in an average bill increase of $3.15, Jones said.

The overhead charge included in the bill also increased, from $11.15 to $11.50 every two months, Jones said.

Jones said the district board of directors attempted to keep the water bills down by not passing on the full 20% rate increase the district has received from its supplier, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

The district, which serves more than 6,500 customers in south Laguna Beach, north Dana Point and a small part of Laguna Niguel, imports all of its water from MWD.

At the same time water rates were going up, sewer rates have dropped, Jones said. Sewer rates decreased from $51.34 to $48 for the average customer every two months, Jones said.

The net effect of the two changes is a slight reduction in the average customer’s bill if he or she receives both water and sewer services from the district, Jones said.