EBMUD Water Rates Increase July 1
Putting off your deep watering could be costly –
EBMUD water rates will increase 9.75 percent beginning July 1, 2013, and increase again on July 1, 2014 by 9.5 percent. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board of Directors approved the rate increases immediately following their public hearing on June 11, 2013. By the time of the decision, 167 letters opposing the rate hike were received.
The increases are necessitated by several reductions in expected revenues and ongoing maintenance expenses. Conservation of water usage by EBMUD customers, who are using 20% less water, has reduced revenues. The decline in new developments in the District’s geographical area has led to an 80% decline in charges for new service. Another factor contributing to the increased rates is the need to maintain EBMUD 4200 miles of water pipes, half of which are 50 years old or older. Under the newly approved FY 2014 and FY 2015 budgets, ten miles of pipe will be replaced each year instead of the previous rate of 8 miles per year.
EBMUD General Manager’s Presentation
Piedmont’s EBMUD representative: Katy Foulkes kfoulkes@ebmud.com.
