Water Rate Increase Possible for Marina del Rey Customers

Marina del Rey residents may see their water rate increase 16 percent over the next five years if the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approves the hike on Tuesday.

Officials would allocate the additional revenue to installing new pipeline along Via Marina, Fiji Way and Bora Bora Way as part of the third phase in a retrofitting project that the Public Works Department started in 2000. Phase III would commence in 2013 and be completed by 2015, according to DPW spokesperson Bob Spencer.

In addition to paying for operational and maintenance costs, some funds will be set aside to establish a 90-day cash reserve and create an emergency reserve. Supervisors will vote on an increase in four water districts in the L.A. area, Malibu-Topanga, Val Verde, Acton and Marina del Rey. If the proposed rate hike passes, it would raise a combined amount of $4.6 million.

In Marina del Rey, water rates will increase 3.3 percent in 2013 and 3 percent for the following four years – a total of 16 percent. The average bill for the 250 metered customers in Marina del Rey is currently $1,486.40 every other month. Many of Marina del Rey’s water customers are large apartment complexes and hotels that justify such a high bi-monthly bill. If the rate passes, users will see an increase of about $49 to their statement.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in Board Hearing Room 381B, located at 500 West Temple St., Los Angeles.