Briefly in the news

The Irvine Ranch Water District followed through on its plan to raise

sewer rates this week.

In a $62-million budget passed by the board Monday, the district

raised its basic residential rate from $5.90 to $6.60 per month. About

4,100 households in Newport Beach and in the unincorporated community of

Newport Coast will be affected by the hike.

The district passed the hike to defray anticipated increases in costs

for power.

The 1,155 residents in northern Newport Beach who are district

customers will be hit with the 12% hike, raising their rates to $6.60.

The district also passed a 10% hike for Newport Coast residents, from

30 to 33 cents a month. There are 2,971 households in that community

affected by the new rates.

The last time the district raised its rates was in 1983.