Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts proposes roughly $3 monthly wastewater increase for Compton under Prop 218
Summary
The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts told the Compton City Council it plans a Prop 218 service-charge notice and a small, phased rate increase — roughly $2.77–$3 a month over five years for most Compton parcels — to pay for repairs, higher operating costs and design work tied to the Pure Water Southern California project.
Martha Trembley, assistant general manager of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, told the Compton City Council on March 3 that property owners in Compton have received Proposition 218 notices about a proposed wastewater service charge increase that would be phased in over five years.
Trembley said the increase would fund rising operating costs, deferred maintenance and early design work for the region’s Pure Water Southern California project. “It’s a little bit less than $3 a month over a 5‑year period … depending on what district your parcel is in, it could be $2.77 a month or closer to $3 a month,” she said.
The Sanitation Districts serve a multi‑district joint outfall area that treats wastewater at seven plants and supplies recycled water; Trembley said the Warren facility in Carson currently treats about 250 million gallons a day and the proposal would help pay for upgrades, nitrogen removal and design steps that would allow additional purified water production and groundwater recharge.
Trembley described the Proposition 218 process — mailed notices, a formal protest mechanism and public-information meetings — and said property owners would receive parcel‑specific rate figures. She noted discounts for low‑water users (20–40%) and outreach including virtual meetings March 19 and April 21, plus an in‑person tour at the Warren facility on April 25. She also said district boards for the parts of Compton in districts 1, 2 and 8 will hold a public hearing May 13 in Whittier.
Council members pressed for timing and grant-funding details. Trembley said environmental planning is complete and design would begin; she estimated some pipeline work and a phased timeline that could take years, adding that the project had received about $200 million in federal and state grants on the wastewater side and continued to pursue low‑interest loans and other funding.
Why it matters: Trembley framed the change as modest for property owners while necessary to address aging pipes, higher electricity and chemical costs, and to support regional water‑resiliency projects. The Prop 218 process gives property owners a formal protest route and local boards a hearing before any final rate action.
Next steps: The Sanitation Districts will continue outreach and hold the May 13 board hearing in Whittier; council members and staff were provided informational flyers and asked staff to share materials with constituents.
