City to Reimburse Part of Water Tax to Customers

Santa Monica residents and businesses can expect decreases in their water bills next month after a City Council decision to partially reimburse customers for a surcharge imposed in September 1996.

The council levied the 25% surcharge to offset costs of buying from the Metropolitan Water District after several city-owned wells were found to be contaminated by the gasoline additive MTBE, said Craig Perkins, director of environmental and public works management.

The city will reimburse customers for 50% of the surcharge they have paid through July 1, and will reduce the ongoing surcharge by 50%, Perkins said. A single-family household should receive a credit of about $38, he said, and pay about $4 less per month after the surcharge reduction.