NEWPORT BEACH : Raise Approved in Water, Sewer Fees
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Water and sewer rates will be slightly higher starting next month under new fees given preliminary approval this week by the City Council.
Monthly water rates will increase by about $3.50 for the average city household, and sewer rates will go up about 50 cents a month on utility bills issued every two months.
Water rates were raised in July when the Metropolitan Water District, the wholesaler that provides water to the city, raised its rates. They are being raised again to cover the expected July rate increase from MWD of 24%.
The higher sewage rates are part of an ongoing payment program by the city Utilities Department, under which consumers cover the costs of maintaining and operating the city’s collection system for waste water.
The new rates were ordered to cover a projected $200,000 deficit incurred by increasing costs of keeping the sewer system running.
Last year, the council agreed to set up a fee collection program to spread the costs of the sewer system operation equally to consumers. The fees will pay for maintaining the sewer lines and subsequently for preventing problems such as backups and overflows.
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