Politics & Government

Union-Tribune Article Erred on La Mesa Sewer Rates

Greg Humora: "The comparison of sewer fees among different agencies is difficult to do because most agencies use different billing methodologies."

To the editor:

An article in The San Diego Union-Tribune today regarding Lemon Grove increasing sewer rates reported that La Mesa had the highest monthly sewer rates of the 13 agencies that share sewer facilities with the city of San Diego.

La Mesa would like to point out that there was a mistake made in the calculation of its sewer rate. There are two components that make up sewer fees—a base charge to cover recurring operating expenses and a consumption charge to cover sewer treatment costs.

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

The calculation was made using La Mesa’s total “bimonthly” base charge instead of half this figure which should have been done to calculate a “monthly” bill. (La Mesa bills for sewer bimonthly). The monthly sewer rate for La Mesa, as calculated in the Lemon Grove study, would have been $40.22, which would have been less than the average monthly rate for all 13 agencies of $41.97.

It is also important to point out that the comparison of sewer fees among different
agencies is difficult to do because most agencies use different billing methodologies.

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

Some agencies such as Lemon Grove use a flat rate while others use consumption based billing. La Mesa utilizes a sewer billing methodology based on several factors including water use and a residential rate cap.

La Mesa evaluates its sewer rates on a regular basis and last increased its rates in
2008. No rate increase is planned for the next year. La Mesa’s current monthly average sewer rate for single family residents is $37.44.

Gregory P. Humora
City of La Mesa

Greg Humora is La Mesa’s public works director.


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