Crescenta Valley Water District to notify customers of possible wastewater rate hike

The Crescenta Valley Water District on Tuesday approved sending state-mandated notifications to customers about a Sept. 4 public hearing for two proposed wastewater rate increases that would total 16.6%.

The utility’s board is requesting an 8.2% sewer rate increase effective on Oct. 1, followed by an 8.4% hike that would kick in July 1, 2013.

The board is expected to make its final decision on Sept. 18, according to district Engineer David Gould.

Residents have until Aug. 31 to send letters of protest to the utility’s offices, he added.

According to California Proposition 218, if more than 50% of customers protest the hikes, the new rates can’t be enacted.

The board is expected to also discuss a water rate hike, which could be as high as 8.9%, during the early part of next year.

The district has been steadily raising its customer rates for nearly 10 years, with the latest round pegged to the high cost of importing water and the need to tackle deferred maintenance and capital improvements.

-- Mark Kellam, Times Community News

Twitter: @LAMarkKellam