The water bill is set to increase starting next month for East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) customers, after the agency’s Board of Directors unanimously approved rate increases as part of a two-year, $2.25 billion budget on Tuesday.
Water and wastewater rates will each increase 4 percent in the first year, starting July 1, 2021, and an additional 4 percent each in the second year, starting July 1, 2022, accordiing to EBMUD, which called the rate hikes “vital to water and waster system improvements.”
An average household using 200 gallons of water per day will see a $2.53 increase in their monthly water bill starting in July, and an additional increase of $2.66 monthly the following year, EBMUD said.
A low water user with 100 gallons daily would see a $1.79 increase per month for the first year and an additional $1.88 per month starting July 2022.
A high water user (600 gallons daily) will see the bill go up $6.85 per month the first year and an additional $7.14 starting July 2022.
Residents living in EBMUD’s wastewater service area will see an increase for the average homeowner of 89 cents per month starting July 1 and an additional 98 cents starting July 1, 2022.
The Wet Weather Facilities Charge collected on property tax bills for parcels connected to the wastewater collection system in EBMUD’s wastewater service area will increase by 4 percent each year. For the typical single-family residential lot size, 5,000 square-feet and under, the annual increase will be $4.64 in FY22 and an additional $4.82 in FY23, according to EMBUD.
“Our budget and rates are designed to ensure services remain resilient regardless of the situation we face, from the pandemic and public safety power shutoffs to earthquakes, droughts, fires, and economic crises,” said General Manager Clifford Chan. “Our customers count on us to fulfill our promise to them and respond to these challenges.”
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