Bigger Water Bills on Tap in July

Water rates are going up come July 1.

The City Council Tuesday approved a hike that’s long been anticipated as part of a rate study the city conducted in 2009. That study found the city’s rate structure was behind in covering the utility’s expenses and recommended a 3 percent increase on July 1, 2012.

For the average-sized home in San Juan Capistrano, it will mean about a $6 bump on the bill, said , the city’s utilities director. Commercial properties will experience the same, while large-sized estates will likely pay $9 more.

Wastewater (sewer) rates will also increase slightly, according to the plan.

Resident Ian Smith begged the council not to do it.

“You cannot keep raising the rates,” he said.

Last year, the utilities department . Van Der Maaten said a number of cost-saving measures, along with the rate increases, have brought and will continue to bring down the deficit.

“Yes, the costs are going up and nobody likes to see that, but this is to keep up with our costs, and we’re doing our best to bring the costs down,” he said.

Van Der Maaten added that the costs of imported water – the city gets  – and the cost of chemicals have gone up.

“Water is becoming increasingly more expensive. Not only our water but the water we get Metropolitan [Water District],” said Councilman Sam Allevato. 

Allevato characterized previous councils as not wanting to raise rates, to “appear as fiscal conservatives.” But the only thing that did was get the city in trouble.

“The rate study said we would need to raise rates for a number of years, just to catch up,” he said.

The council voted 4-1 to raise the water and waste water rates, with Councilman Derek Reeve dissenting.