Community Corner
Water Rate Discussion Set For Oct. 10
Officials propose a water rate increase to offset depleting funds.
The city will hold a water and sewer rate community meeting Oct. 10 to discuss proposed rate increases to customers.
The Thursday meeting will conclude the series of informational sessions with a summary of what was already discussed.
The proposed increases could include five-year water rate increases ranging from 49 percent to 59 percent and five-year sewer rate increases ranging from 75 percent to 96 percent of the current rates, officials said.
Officials cite the drop in local water production and lack of previous rate increases for the needed changes. The city is in year three of a four year rate increase. Officials state that without another increase current funds will be depleted within two years.
Water production in Sierra Madre has dropped compared to last year's levels. The city publishes daily water production comparisons. On Sept. 30 of this year alone, the city's water production was around 2.25 million gallons, compared to one year ago when the city produced 3.5 million gallons.
In mid-September of this year, the city temporarily changed its water supply source, from local groundwater to treated surface water provided from the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.
The city anticipates continued purchasing of outside water sources for the five years of the rate study (Fiscal Year 2018-2019). The Raymond Basin Management Board has restricted the amount of water that can be safely pumped from the basin until levels increase to a 500-foot level, officials said.
City officials implemented mandatory water-saving measures back in May after blaming the dry winter for record-low groundwater levels combined with high water consumption in Sierra Madre. The Raymond Basin Watermaster reduced the city's water rights by nearly 47 percent.
The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 232 West Sierra Madre Blvd.
