The Watsonville City Council meets in June 2024. (Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local file)
Editor’s note: This story first appeared as an episode of Noticias Watsonville. Listen to the Spanish podcast here.
WATSONVILLE >> The Watsonville City Council proposed rate increases for water, trash and sewer services at its March 24 meeting. The average household in Watsonville would see their bill go up about $14 starting July 1. The rates would increase each year through 2031.
The proposed rate hikes include:
- 5% annually for water.
- 2% annually for trash.
- 16% in 2027, 12% in 2028 and 6% each year from 2029 to 2031 for sewer.
The proposed increase to sewer fees are needed to pay for replacements to aging facilities at the wastewater treatment plant, which could cost $57 million. The facility was built in 1961 and the last major upgrade was in 1986, said Danielle Green, assistant director of public works.
The equipment that needs to be replaced is “the area where all of the sewage in the city comes to the plant, so it’s a very important component of the plant,” Green said. “The structure’s in really bad shape. We’ve had to close off some areas of it because it’s not safe for our staff to access.”
Increases to water rates are needed in part to pay for water filtration upgrades to remove chromium six from groundwater wells that feed the city’s water supply. The chemical can cause health harms but is not at a dangerous level, Green said. New state regulations require the city to bring chromium six levels lower.
Increases to trash fees are due in part to new state regulations that require biodegradable materials to be separated from trash, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The proposal is set to be considered by the Watsonville City Council on May 26. Ratepayers can submit a protest in writing, stating evidence why the proposal is not in line with Proposition 218. That law, among other requirements, dictates that utilities fees must only cover the costs of delivering services. In other words, the additional revenue from the fee increases can only be used to continue providing utilities services.
A webinar to answer questions about the proposal is planned for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29.
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Nik Altenberg is a bilingual reporter and assistant editor at Santa Cruz Local. Nik Altenberg es reportera bilingüe y editora asistente para Santa Cruz Local.
Fidel es periodista de Noticias Watsonville, la división en español de Santa Cruz Local.
