Sewer rates may be on the rise

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT BEACH -- Sewer rates for customers of the Irvine Ranch Water

District are expected to climb when the agency today approves its budget

for next year.

The district is proposing the rate hike because of an expected bump in

costs for power.

“We’re anticipating a $2.5-million increase in operational energy

costs for the coming year,” district spokeswoman Marilyn Smith said.

“Energy costs are concerning everyone.”

Two small pockets of residents in Newport Beach would be affected by

the proposed hikes. The district handles sewage from homes in northern

Newport Beach and in the still unincorporated community of Newport Coast,

as well as in Irvine and in sections of other cities.

The two Newport Beach areas will see substantially different rate

increases. District budget handlers have proposed increasing the rate for

its 1,155 northern Newport Beach customers by 12%, or 70 cents a month.

If approved, their rates would up from $5.90 to $6.60.

Newport Coast would see a 10% hike under the new rate structure. The

2,971 households in that community would see rates climb three cents,

from 30 to 33 cents a month.

Homes in unincorporated Santa Ana Heights would not be affected by the

new rates. Sewage from that community is not treated by the district,

even though the agency delivers water to the homes there.

The district handles sewage from more than 81,000 homes. Newport Coast

makes up 3.6% of that coverage, and northern Newport 1.4%.

Sewage from other areas of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa is treated by

the Orange County Sanitation District.

The rate hike is the first since 1983. Since that time, the district’s

rates have declined about 60% with a series of cuts.

The district’s five-member board will be considering a $61-million

operating budget for the fiscal year 2001-2002 at its meeting today.

FYI:

WHAT: Irvine Ranch Water District board meeting

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. tonight

WHERE: District headquarters, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine