COSTA MESA : Water Hike Will Add $3.28 to Average Bill

Despite vehement opposition from customers, the Mesa Consolidated Water District voted Thursday to raise its water rates.

Basic rates will jump $2 and a unit of water will increase by 4 cents--hikes district officials said were needed to cover rising costs of buying water from suppliers. District officials said they expect the average bimonthly water bill to increase from $51.64 to $54.92.

“I am nauseated,” Heather Somers, president of the Eastside Homeowners’ Assn., said of the increase.

Somers and other Costa Mesa residents have repeatedly protested water rate increases because they don’t believe the agency has taken measures to reduce administrative spending.

Residents have also complained they are having to pay for legal wrangles involving a pair of sexual harassment claims against district employees in the last year.