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
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