The Hits Keep Comin'

Escondido is the latest California community hit with rate hikes.

Despite objections from coin-operated laundries and residents, Escondido officials will hike water rates by 8 percent on Sept. 1 and increase sewer rates by 5 percent on Jan. 1.

The higher rates, which city officials blamed on the California drought and infrastructure problems at Escondido's sewer treatment plant, will increase the monthly bill for a typical family by $3.28.

But excessive users could face much larger increases because of penalties under a conservation policy implemented in February, city officials said.

While the increase is moderate for the average family, local businesses and organizations appear to be bearing the brunt of the increase:

Vivian Doering from the Escondido Woman's Club said being classified as a restaurant has spiked monthly bills at the club from $61 to $235 in just three months.

Escondido isn't alone; there are stories in the news today about water rate increases in OK, NE, NJ, LA, and OR.

Of course, they can all offset these rate increases by reducing their water use. And it's easy.