Martha Tremblay, assistant chief engineer for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD), briefed the Paramount City Council on a proposed regional wastewater service rate increase.

Tremblay said the districts operate regional sewers and treatment facilities serving roughly 78 cities and over 5,000,000 residents. She told council the districts’ operating costs have risen about 20% while current rates have covered a smaller share, forcing the use of reserves. The proposal, she said, would average a little less than $3 per month for a typical family home over five years. For Paramount specifically, Tremblay said property owners in District 1 would see a $2.75/month increase and those in District 2 about $2.92/month, with the new rates proposed to take effect July 1, 2026 if approved.

Tremblay described uses for the revenue: restoring reserves, capital repairs and rehabilitation of aging sewers, maintaining treatment plants, and starting design work at the Warren facility in Carson to treat and recycle additional wastewater for regional groundwater recharge (in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District). She noted the districts use Proposition 218 notices to inform property owners about proposed increases, provide information on protest procedures and rebates for low‑water users, and plan outreach meetings and facility tours in early 2026 ahead of tentative May public hearings.

Council members asked about how the increase was calculated and when rates were last raised; Tremblay said rates were last increased four years ago and the increase is based on operational, capital and reserve needs over the five‑year period. No council action was taken at the meeting; LACSD staff described protest and hearing steps property owners may use.