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S.D. Council Talks Today About Water and Sewer Rates

San Diego city council holds hearings today into proposed water and sewer rate increases. Some groups support the mayor’s plans. But others are still opposed to the rate hikes. KPBS reporter Alison S

S.D. Council Talks Today About Water and Sewer Rates

San Diego city council holds hearings today into proposed water and sewer rate increases. Some groups support the mayor’s plans. But others are still opposed to the rate hikes. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

The city of San Diego desperately needs more money to upgrade water and sewer systems that violate state and federal laws. The mayor has spent months lobbying for the increases. He’s reformed city procedures to make sure future rate increases do pay for upgrades and aren’t misappropriated elsewhere.

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Sue Macomber, a consumer advocate with the group UCAN and a San Diego rate payer, supports upgrading the system. But she’s angry that residential customers’ bills will go up more than commercial users.

Macomber: We are sold down the river over and over again when we trust our elected officials and they don’t protect us, they protect the industries that give them the money to go into office.

The mayor says residential users will be able to save money by conserving water, which he says, is not something businesses can do so easily. Alison St John, KPBS news.