Santa Monica Residents Facing Big Jump In Water Rates

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — Santa Monica's water rates could increase increase by nearly 80 percent over the next five years according to a proposal that is currently under consideration by the City Council, and that's not sitting well with residents.

CBS2's Jeff Nguyen spoke with city resident Adi Rhone, who lives on a fixed income and said he spends about $20 a month to do his laundry

"I'm on disability so every penny counts," said Rhone, who is also faced with big prescription drug costs for a chronic illness. So he's worried about the proposal that would increase the water rate by 9 percent on March 1, and 13 percent each of the following four years, making the compound increase about 78 percent by 2019.

Stan Fox, who owns a coin laundry, told Nguyen he'll have to pass that on to his customers.

"People will either pay for it or we'll have to close up," said Fox.

Santa Monica currently gets 60 percent of its supply from ground water while buying the remainder from the metropolitan water district. It has a goal of being completely self-sufficient within five years.

That would mean building new wells and water treatment facilities while replacing old infrastructure. The higher prices would pay for that, according to city officials.

"We want to ensure that our system is kept to a good working condition," said Interim Assistant City Manager Martin Pastucha.

The price increase proposal comes as the city recently adopted a plan that penalizes customers who don't lower their water consumption by 20 percent from the last year.

"If they can achieve that 20 percent reduction, the net impact to their revenue would be relatively minor," Pastucha said.

A study from the city says people who follow the reduction plan will see a rate increase of about $20 a month in 2019.

"I am on a fixed income. Most of us on a fixed income. So it will be an issue if that happens," Rhone said

The City Council  is scheduled to vote on the rate increase plan on Feb. 24, following a public hearing.