On Dec. 8 the Sweetwater Authority Governing Board voted to approve new rates as proposed in the 2023 rate study. Moderate adjustments leverage cost-savings linked with maintaining a local water supply, while allowing the Authority to undertake necessary repairs to aging infrastructure and addressing costs of water treatment and delivery.
“We take the impacts that rate adjustments have on our customers seriously and have worked hard to minimize those impacts while responding to increasing costs and the need to sustain reliable water service,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez in a press release.
“We’re committed to working with customers to provide assistance and resources so that they can use water efficiently and save on their bill, and we are working relentlessly to implement projects to continue pursuing development of local water supplies and implementation of renewable energy projects to keep costs low and maintain affordable rates.”
The approved adjustments institute a 0.5% increase in revenues effective Jan. 1, 2024, despite a near double-digit increase in San Diego County Water Authority’s imported water costs. A maximum 6% increase in revenues will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, followed by a 6.5% increase on Jan. 1, 2026. However, a specific budget with the exact rate increases is considered and adopted annually by the Board.
The Authority offers an extensive rebate program for water-saving devices, money back for leak repairs, and free property water audits to identify water-saving opportunities. Qualifying customers are connected to a federally funded bill assistance program through the MAAC Project and provided opportunities for extended payment plans.
The Board is also exploring an in-house assistance program for low-income customers.
For more information, please visit www.sweetwater.org/ratestudy.
