People who live in Inglewood could see their water and sewage bills increase next month without having a lot of time to prepare.
The city of Inglewood has proposed a rate hike for water and sewer fees. Under the plan, the average single-family home with a ¾ inch meter, using 900-cubic feet of water would see a monthly bill go from $60.13 to $78.38, a 30% increase.
“It was shocking to me. Just like everything else, everything else is going up,” Faith Tubi, who lives in Inglewood said, explaining the current water and sewer rates are already unaffordable.
“We’ve already had to cut off our grass in our front house just to cut down because the water bill was so high,” Tubi said.
Other residents like Jose Valdovinos said the utility bills are creating a burden for families.
“We already pay like $240, $250 a month for water and sewer,” Valdovinos said.
According to a report by Inglewood’s Department of Public Works, the new rate proposal takes into account inflation, the city’s increased costs of purchasing water and aging infrastructure maintenance.
Sewer rates in the city haven’t been adjusted in more than a decade, city officials said. But Inglewood water rates did increase from 2019-2023.
Inglewood residents aren’t the only ones in this boat: a September report from UCLA researchers found that household water bills in LA County jumped almost 60% in the last 10 years.
According to the city of Inglewood, without these increases, the water fund will be in deficit by next fall, and sewer reserves will be depleted by the end of next year.
The city council must vote on whether or not to approve the increases.
A public hearing will be held on Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. on the proposal. People opposing the increase must submit their comments in writing by Dec. 15.
NBC Los Angeles reached out to the city of Inglewood for comment.