FULLERTON : Water Rates to Rise 3% Starting in 1996

Water rates will be hiked 3% in January to cover rising operating costs under action taken this week by the City Council.

The move, approved on a 4-1 vote with Councilman Chris Norby dissenting, will help the city’s ailing water utility fund by providing more than $100,000 in 1996.

City officials said the revenue would be used on the water system’s operation, maintenance, improvement and replacement costs.

Black and Veatch, an engineering firm that conducted a water service study for the city, recommended the 3% rate increase to cover the system’s rising costs.

It also recommended that residential users pay about the same as commercial and industrial users--a proposal that was approved by the council as part of its vote. Residents are currently paying less per gallon, but soon will pay “their equal share based on the amount of water used,” Assistant City Manager Chris Meyer said.

Under the new rates, single-family residences using up to 16,000 gallons of water each month will pay about $1.23 per 1,000 gallons. Those using between 16,000 and 48,000 gallons per month will pay $1.29 per 1,000 gallons. And single-family residences using more than 48,000 gallons of water per month will pay $1.40 per 1,000 gallons. The average increase is about 20 cents a month.

Meyer said the purpose for charging more for excessive water users is to encourage people to conserve.