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San Diego council sets Sept. 30 hearing on proposed water and wastewater rate increases
Summary
After presentations from Public Utilities and the IBA, the City Council voted 6–3 to set a Sept. 30 public hearing under Proposition 218 and AB 2257 to consider rate adjustments that would take effect Jan. 1, 2026; council debate focused on affordability and county wholesale costs.
The San Diego City Council voted 6–3 on July 21 to set a Sept. 30 public hearing to consider proposed water and wastewater rate adjustments that would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, if ultimately approved.
Public Utilities Department Executive Assistant Director Lisa Salaya told the council the city manages a massive water system — about 6,300 miles of pipelines and nearly 2,000 staff — and purchases between 70% and 90% of its water from the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA). She said rising wholesale costs from the CWA, along with energy, chemical and infrastructure pressures, are the primary drivers of proposed rate increases. Salaya said the CWA’s effective rate increase for 2026 is 8.3% (down from an initial 18% proposal) and that wholesale costs will add roughly $16 a…
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