Los Angeles City Council approved a hike in sewer service fees on Tuesday, September 10. Starting from October, families and property owners in Los Angeles will face a 22% rate increase, with costs expected to continue rising slightly until 2028.
According to City News Service (CNS), the city council passed a measure with an 11-3 vote to establish a new sewage service fee schedule. City officials stated that this move is necessary to maintain operations and improve the aging infrastructure. To implement the new rates, the measure also requires approval from Mayor Karen Bass.
Barbara Romero, Director of the Department of Sanitation, presented a report to the city council on May 2 stating that by the 2024-2025 fiscal year, nearly one-third of Los Angeles’ sewer pipes will have exceeded 90 years of use, surpassing their intended 60-80 year lifespan. The expected average lifespan of sewage treatment plants is 30-50 years.
Romero further highlighted that the next five years will see hundreds of infrastructure maintenance projects, with costs exceeding $3 billion, including pipeline repairs, water recycling facilities, and water quality monitoring.
Prior to this proposed rate increase, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents of Los Angeles, the city had not raised sewer rates since 2020. In May, the Department of Environment and Health overseeing the city’s sewer system proposed a plan to raise rates by 22% in October, with gradual increases in sewer service fees until July 2028. The ultimate expenditure for users is expected to nearly double the current rates.
As an example, a single-family household currently paying $75.4 every two months for sewer services will see their bill rise to $92.04 after October, reaching $155.48 by July 2028. However, the rates are calculated based on a percentage of water usage.
Council members Monica Rodriguez, Kevin de León, and Heather Hutt opposed the rate hike, expressing concerns about the financial strain it will place on homeowners and businesses.
Rodriguez stated that they support continued investment in infrastructure repairs, with substantial federal investment support available. These investments should be prioritized over burdening taxpayers with a sudden 22% rate increase.
To implement the rate changes, Los Angeles must comply with Proposition 218, also known as the Right to Vote on Taxes Act, which restricts local governments from imposing or raising taxes and fees without taxpayer consent. The city is required to notify property owners and adhere to open hearings and protest requirements.
However, city officials noted that out of the 786,311 affected properties for which notices/forms were sent, only 7,864 written protests were received, accounting for just 1%.
Councilmember Traci Park, who supports the rate increase, emphasized the benefits it will bring to the city’s coastline and waterways. She mentioned that failing infrastructure could lead to disastrous consequences such as sewage discharge, beach closures, sick and dying wildlife, and accumulated garbage on the coastline.