Water agencies across the San Diego region are expected to see rate increases for 2019 that are “among the smallest in the past 15 years,” according to the San Diego County Water Authority.

Rates charged to the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies would increase by 0.9 percent for treated water and 2.9 percent for untreated water in calendar year 2019, according to a proposal to be presented to the Water Authority’s Board of Directors on May 24.

A statement from the Water Authority pointed to several factors influencing the 2019 proposed rates, including a 2017 Court of Appeal ruling against the Metropolitan Water District and in favor of the Water Authority.

That court decision netted the Water Authority about $15 million in savings for 2019 by forcing MWD to drop its rate on the Water Authority’s Colorado River water supplies that are transported by MWD.

Other factors influencing the 2019 rate include regional water demand that’s expected to remain below earlier projections; increasing deliveries of independent and more reliable Colorado River water supplies from the Imperial Irrigation District; and a proposed change to a financial reserve policy.

The Water Authority board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed rates and consider adoption during its regular meeting on June 28. The new rates will take effect Jan. 1.

It’s not immediately known how the “small” rate increases charged to regional water agencies will impact ratepayers in 2019.

–Staff

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