Water rate charges just keep on rising

Costa Mesa residents are paying a little more for water this summer.

In June, the Mesa Consolidated Water District board adopted a 5% water rate increase

For Costa Mesa residents, the new increase means the water rate per unit will rise from $1.89 to $1.99. The increase became effective July 1. One unit is equal to 748 gallons of water.

The average residential customer will see an increase of $5.82 on their two-month bill, water district spokeswoman Amanda Gavin said. The average customer in the city uses 32 units of water over a two-month period, she said.

Residents last saw an increase on their water bills in July 2005 when the rate went from $1.77 to $1.89.

The district raised the rates because of higher operating costs stemming from a boost in the expense of importing water and rising energy costs for groundwater production. Also, the district needs to dig a new well.

The well being used now is on leased property owned by C.J. Segerstrom and Sons. District officials want to construct a new well because C.J. Segerstrom and Sons plans to use the property, Gavin said.

Board President Paul E. Shoenberger said the increase is necessary to maintain the quality of the water, which is tested more than 10,000 times per year.

“Our two main sources of water come from imported water and groundwater agencies, and when they raise their rates that hits us directly,” Shoenberger said. “When we’re in this situation, we usually have to pass those costs to our customers.”