Reduced City Sewer Rates Take Effect

Valley property owners will see their sewer bills drop by an average of $25 per year under a revamped rate system that went into effect Tuesday.

The new formula will use winter months--when little water is used outside--as a baseline to calculate rates.

Councilwoman Laura Chick, who proposed the change, said that under the old system Valley customers were being unfairly charged during summer months because much of the water being used was not going into the sewer.

“With the new billing system, those residents who have to use more water in the summer to keep their plants alive or to fill their pools will no longer experience higher sewer service charges,” Chick said.

Under the new billing structure, sewer charges will be based on the customer’s lowest month of water use during the winter and will not fluctuate from season to season.

Based on average water usage, sewer rates are expected to go down by about $25 per year in the Valley and West Los Angeles but will rise about $12 per year in other parts of the city.

When the proposed changes were first brought before the City Council last August, a bitter squabble ensued that split the body along geographic lines.

At one point, seven council members stormed out of the chamber to break up the quorum and prevent a vote on the issue.

The new rate structure was approved by a 12-1 vote in February, after provisions were added giving discounts to low-income residents.

Chick’s aide, Diane Bruggemann, said the new rate structure gives property owners some control over how much they pay.

“If people are really smart, they will cut their usage in the winter months when the basis for their yearly rate is being determined,” Bruggemann said.