Most West Sacramento households will see higher monthly water and sewer bills after an April rate hike.
LISA VALDER
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Beginning in April, West Sacramento residents will see higher rates for water and sewer service as the city grapples with aging infrastructure for the critical services.
FULL STORY: West Sacramento water rates will soon go up — by a lot. Here’s how much and why
Here are key takeaways:
• Starting in April, most West Sacramento residents will pay a $35.93 fixed monthly water charge for a 3/4-inch meter, up from $24.61 last month. That fee will rise steadily to $48.29 by 2030.
• Sewer rates face the steepest jump. A single-family customer paying $10.88 per month last month will pay $19.85 in April. By 2030, that will climb to $38.33. Multifamily sewer charges will rise from $8.16 to $26.13 over the same period.
• The city hasn’t raised rates since 2021, and its last rate study was conducted nearly 10 years ago. Economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic led officials to pause increases that typically happen every five years, according to City Manager Aaron Laurel.
• Proposed infrastructure projects to replace aging pipes, pumps and other machinery could cost more than $93 million for water and $44 million for sewer utilities. The infrastructure was inherited from Yolo County after the city incorporated in 1987.
“I know it’s going to be a hardship,” said West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero. “I know it’s going to be challenging.” Members of the City Council said there were few alternatives.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.