San Diego water bills to change in January

Starting in January, low-use water customers in single-family homes in San Diego will see their monthly bills rise by approximately $6. At the same time, high-use customers will see their bills drop by about $20. These shifts result from a new flat-rate billing structure that replaces the city's previous tiered system.

The San Diego City Council voted 6-2 on Tuesday to approve the modified rate structure. The change is mandatory under a court order stemming from a lawsuit filed in 2015. The case, Daniel Patz et al. v. City of San Diego, challenged the city’s method of charging homeowners different rates based on water consumption levels.

City staff presented the agenda item to council members. A staff member stated, “The city does not agree with the court's decision in the [Daniel Patz et al. v. City of San Diego] case. However, we are legally required to have a structure the court deems valid.” The city attempted to overturn the ruling in appeals court but was unsuccessful. San Diego is now responsible for a $40 million settlement.

Under the previous system, customers who used less water through efficient landscaping paid lower per-unit rates. Those with large yards or pools paid higher rates. The new structure eliminates these tiers. It will charge customers based solely on the volume of water they use. The changes will take effect in January alongside a separate, previously approved water rate increase.

Council member Sean Elo-Rivera, who represents district 9, expressed frustration during the vote. “It makes me angry because what is being imposed on us as a city and, therefore imposed, on the people of San Diego is a penalty for doing more to conserve water,” Elo-Rivera said.

Residents have offered mixed reactions to the upcoming changes. Isabel Jordan noted that she initially believed all customers should pay the same rate. She later recognized the rationale for incentivizing conservation. “I mean we’re in Southern California. We’re in a water crisis, water shortage constantly, in and out of drought, so at first I was like, ’oh, everyone should pay the same rate,’ then I kind of understand the incentive behind subsidizing more efficient consumers of water,” Jordan said. City representatives acknowledged that the modest increase could impact households that have actively reduced their water use.