County / IN BRIEF : LOS ANGELES : Snow Level Spurs 9% Water Rate Hike
The city’s primary source of water, the snowpack in the High Sierra, is not high enough to meet the demand of Los Angeles residents, meaning rates will increase 9% next month to pay for additional water, officials at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power said Wednesday.
The snowpack is about two-thirds of normal levels, triggering an automatic rate increase, officials said. The new rate takes effect April 1 and will add about $3.60 to the average family’s bimonthly bill.
The additional revenue will be used to purchase water from the Metropolitan Water District. The new rate may be lowered by summer if snow levels increase, officials said.
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