Los Angeles homeowners may soon face a 22% increase in sewer service fees, as the Los Angeles City Council preliminarily approved the rate hike on August 31.
According to City News Service, city council members passed the rate hike proposal by a vote of 11 to 3, stating that it is necessary to maintain operations and invest in improving aging infrastructure. This is the first time a rate hike proposal has been put forward by relevant departments since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Next, the city council will need to hold a second vote on September 6, with final approval required from the mayor. If approved, based on the rate changes submitted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, sewer service fees for households within its service area will increase by 22% starting in October, with incremental increases scheduled until July 2028.
For example, currently, a single-family household pays $75.4 every two months for sewer services, which will increase to $92.04 after October. By July 2028, the fee will reach $155.48, but the rates are calculated as a percentage of water usage.
The affected homeowners in Los Angeles have been notified of the potential rate hike through letters. Homeowners who oppose the increase must submit written objections by Tuesday (September 3). If more than half of the homeowners protest, the proposal will not move forward.