NEWPORT BEACH : Council to Consider Water Rate Increase
City residents may notice a $2 hike in their monthly water bill beginning this summer, according to the city manager’s office.
The $2 hike represents a 7% overall increase in water rates for the average Newport Beach customer.
The city buys its water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which, in turn, imports the water from the Colorado River and Northern California.
The MWD also establishes the cost of water, which is passed on to local water districts, then to consumers.
Two years ago, water rates were increased by 13% and last year went up another 20%, according to City Manager Kevin J. Murphy.
Newport Beach residences use an average of about 10,000 gallons of water per month.
In a related matter, the city may begin charging an extra 50 cents on a resident’s monthly sewer charge. That increase will be used to help pay for upgrades in an aging sewer pump system.
The City Council will consider both rate hikes at its June 13 meeting at City Hall.
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