Why this matters
The Otay Water District’s increases will impact the nearly 240,000 customers it serves in a more than 80,000-acre service area in southeastern San Diego County.
Nearly 240,000 residents in parts of southeastern San Diego County will soon see higher water bills.
The Otay Water District notified customers that it will implement an 8.3% rate increase effective Jan. 1, saying the “unavoidable” hike is mostly due to charges passed down from its wholesale water suppliers: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the county Water Authority.
Even more increases could be coming as the Otay Water District prepares to approve new sewer service rates later this year.
The agency said under the water rate hike, the typical single-family residential home could see a roughly $9 increase on their monthly bills.
Attend the public hearing
While the water rate hike has already been approved, here’s how to attend a public hearing on the Otay Water District’s latest proposed sewer rate changes.
When: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1
Where: 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd., Spring Valley
Info: Watch and listen to Otay Water meetings here.
Otay Water officials said the vast majority of the increase is tied to costs from suppliers, which have seen higher labor and energy costs and inflation, while also bringing in lower water sales due to drought conditions. And the county Water Authority, which imports from the Metropolitan Water District and sells it to agencies like Otay Water, also is passing along costs to cover debt tied to infrastructure needs.
Otay Water serves Otay Mesa, eastern Chula Vista, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego and unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa. A spokesperson said officials have attempted to absorb some of the additional costs through staff reductions, water loss detection and pavement cost reduction.
The rate increase is part of a 2022 board-approved ordinance which authorizes the agency to increase rates over a five-year period based on the local cost of living.
Board members also will consider a similar ordinance in October that proposes small increases to sewer service rates over the next five years.
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Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
