San Diego Delays Vote on Water, Sewer Hikes

San Diego City Council delayed a vote on steep water and wastewater rate hikes until Oct. 28 after dozens of residents and several councilmembers raised affordability concerns and urged alternative solutions. The current proposal would raise water rates about 63% and sewer rates about 31% over four years, which city officials say are needed to cover higher costs (including purchases from the San Diego County Water Authority), aging infrastructure and to avert a fiscal shortfall. City estimates say the proposal would increase a typical single‑family bill by roughly $17–$18 per month beginning in January; opponents asked staff to consider adjustments such as a shorter phase‑in. Separately, Lancaster’s Bureau of Water filed a tariff seeking roughly a 30–31% increase for customers outside the city (effective Nov. 29), which would raise a 4,500‑gallon residential bill from about $29.53 to $38.32. Oceanside is also asking its council to approve water and wastewater increases starting in January to cover higher purchase costs and fund major pipeline replacements, which staff say would push average single‑family monthly bills from about $93 to $105 next year and to about $115 the following year.