Community Corner

Helix Water Rates to Rise; Gallon Will Still Cost Less Than a Penny

Councilmember Ewin: "I get a sense there's not much of an incentive for conserving water... rates keep going up."

Households and businesses in La Mesa are about to pay a bit more for the water coming to their tap.

Representatives of Helix Water District gave a presentation to the La Mesa City Council explaining the reasons for the rate increase at the meeting last week.

Every two months the average residential customers will see a rate increase of 6 percent, or $7.58 next year and an increase of 6.2 percent, or $8.23 the year after. Commercial, irrigation and multi-family customers will se a rate increase of 3-6 percent next year and 5-8 percent the year after.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The water rate for Helix will remain below the county average, according to the presentation.

The cost of one gallon of water delivered to your tap will still cost less than a penny, said the district.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The reason for the rate increase is mostly due to a 21 percent, $6 million rise in water costs for the district. They said the dry year requires more water purchased from the San Diego County Water Authority.

The district said it's seen a five percent increase in water use by customers, eight percent in La Mesa in the last year. This after a drastic drop in consumption between 2005 and 2011.

"I get a sense there's not much of an incentive for conserving water... rates keep going up," said Councilmember Ernie Ewin.

"Our rate model is incentivized for conservation," said Carlos Lugo, District General Manager of the Helix Water District. "The more you use, the more you pay."

One La Mesa resident that spoke during the meeting said he was upset with another rate increase after last year's 4.75 percent hike, and saw other reasons for the increase.

"I saw no discussion or attempt to corral the operations and administration costs that, if you see the pie chart (see chart in photos), is almost equal to the product they provide," said Bill Jaynes, owner of All Things Bright and British and member of La Mesa Citizens Oversight Group.

The chart from the district presentation shows water costs taking up 44 percent of the budget and administrative costs at 41 percent.

The district presentation showed that the district had reduced 18 full time positions and part time positions since 2009 and increased the amount employees pay into their retirement fund.

Two other public speakers informed council that Helix employees don't pay premiums for health insurance, and one asked if the council could support the rate increase as one of the largest ratepayers in the water district.

The water rate increase comes at the same time that EDCO trash pick up fees and SDG&E electricity rates are due to rise.

COMMENT: Is Helix Water District doing a good job for the price? What do you think about the rate increase?

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