LA County Sanitation Districts seeks modest sewer-rate hike; Diamond Bar residents would pay about $2.75 more monthly

Felicia Petri, speaking on behalf of LA County Sanitation Districts, told the Diamond Bar City Council the agency is proposing a five-year Prop 218 sewer-rate package that would raise charges to cover rising operating costs and funding for capital work. "A typical single family home right now would pay about $16 a month, and these increases would add an additional $2.75 a month," Petri said.

Petri said the districts serve about 5.5 million people in Los Angeles County and that District 21, which includes Diamond Bar, is part of a joint outfall system facing inflationary pressures for chemicals, electricity and other treatment costs. She said the mailers describing the proposed increases were sent in January and that the agency is in a public-notice and protest period through May, with the board of directors scheduled to take final action at a May 27 board meeting at 1:30 p.m.

During council questions, Petri clarified that the board adopts rates by ordinance (not by ballot) and that the agency weighs public protests when deciding whether to move forward. She said the proposed package is structured so that, even with the increase, rates would remain lower than many comparable agencies: "Even with our proposed rate increase... we're still significantly lower than our other similar agencies." Petri also said an independent rate study and consultant review were used to align charges to the cost of service.

Council members asked whether the increase funds research and major capital projects. Petri said some of the service charge revenue will support research and planning activities and that larger projects — for example, a tunnel project and a multiagency "Pure Water" project — are still years away; current increases help pay for planning and design rather than full construction. She described the package as a five-year rate plan and said the agency will evaluate the need for additional increases at the end of that period.

Petri described customer-assistance options, including a low-water rebate program for qualifying parcels, and gave information about virtual and in-person outreach and tours of the Carson (AK Warren) facility. She invited residents to contact the district or attend public information events for details.

The council thanked the presenter and urged residents to review the mailed notices and participate in the public process. The sanitation districts' board will consider the adoption ordinance on May 27; any final vote will account for protests and public comment before the board acts.