San Diego water rate proposal could raise bills for low water users

San Diego homeowners who use less water could see their monthly water bills increase next year under a proposed rate change that would eliminate the city’s tiered pricing system.

The proposal, prompted by a court ruling in a case against the city of San Diego, would replace the current system in which customers who use less water pay a lower rate, and those who use more water pay more. If approved, all customers would pay the same rate, regardless of how much water they use.

Under city estimates, single-family homes with low water usage would see their monthly bills increase by about 7%, or an average of $5.62 more each month. Meanwhile, single-family homes with high water usage would see their monthly bills decrease by nearly 6%, saving an average of $19.52 per month.

The proposal has drawn concern from residents who have invested in water conservation.

“It seems like if this went through it would totally take away the incentive to conserve,” Cynthia Hillman said.

The Kensington homeowner said she is preparing to replace grass in her yard with landscaping that requires less water.

Other residents also questioned the proposed changes.

“That doesn’t sound very fair because if they’re using more that means they’ve got more property, which probably means they’ve got more income period,” longtime Kensington resident Connie Kirk said.

The proposed changes stem from a legal decision in a case against the city of San Diego that requires the city to move away from a rate structure that incentivizes lower water usage.

Hillman said the potential increase comes at a difficult time for many families.

“For somebody who’s having to pay higher gas prices, higher grocery prices, this is just one more thing that makes life very uncomfortable.”

She also expressed concern about who would bear the added cost.

“You’re asking the little guy to pay more.”

Because most California communities use similar tiered water rate systems, the San Diego case could have broader implications across the state.

If approved, the new rates would take effect in January.

The San Diego City Council is scheduled to hear public comment at before voting on the proposal Oct. 6.

The city has set up a website to alert residents to the proposed changes, and plans to mail notices about the proposed changes to more than a quarter-million customers later this month.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.