The Bakersfield City Council on June 11 adopted a resolution to increase domestic water rates for customers inside the city’s domestic water service area over a five-year schedule to fund water‑quality treatment and conservation programs.

Water Director Chris Budak told the council the proposal under consideration would raise rates by a series of increases over five years: "The 5 year rate increase that is proposed and and being, considered this evening is a 34%, 6 percent, 6%, and 2 and a half, 2 and a half over the 5 years," Budak said, and explained that about 70% of the city’s water supply comes from groundwater, which requires expanded treatment — most recently to address PFAS — and that the city anticipates adding treatment to nine wells by 2029.

The public hearing drew one opponent, resident Katie Bassi, who said the increase would be an "unbearable cost" for many households and stated, "I vote nay, as far as the increase is concerned." No speakers voiced support for the rate change during the hearing portion.

Councilmember Coleman moved approval; the motion passed with Councilmember Weir absent. The council did not provide a detailed roll-call vote on the record; staff said affected customers east of the city limits are served by other suppliers such as Cal Water, Vaughan Water or East Niles and that notices had been mailed (some notices were sent via Cal Water billing before the city's own mailings went out).

Why it matters: The adopted increases are intended to finance required treatment upgrades, incentivize conservation through rebate programs and help meet state conservation targets, including a long-term reduction goal staff said would amount to about a 40% reduction by 2040.

Ending: Staff said they will implement the rate schedule and support rebate and conservation programs. Council documentation and the formal resolution will be posted with the city’s agenda materials for the ordinance/resolution implementing the rate schedule.