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SFPUC approves new tiered water rates and capacity charge framework after hours of public comment
Summary
After more than two hours of public testimony, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved inclining block water rates for single-family customers, a modest increase to the water capacity charge and related schedules intended to fund seismic and system work while staff pursues outreach and potential equity adjustments.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday approved new schedules of water rates and a related capacity charge that officials say are needed to fund seismic upgrades and long-term system work.
Commissioners voted to adopt the proposed inclining-block rate structure for single-family residential customers and to raise the water capacity charge (a per-connection equity buy-in) modestly, after hearing more than 70 public comments. Mr. McDonald, a senior SFPUC staff member who led the rate presentation, told commissioners the changes are designed to promote conservation and meet revenue requirements for major infrastructure projects tied to Hetch Hetchy seismic work.
Residents, landlords and small-business owners who packed the meeting argued the tiered structure would be inequitable for larger or multigenerational households and for property owners who cannot pass costs through to tenants. "It does not promote conservation since only the landlords will be…
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