East Bay MUD Customers Get 14% Fee Hike To Cover Drought Costs
OAKLAND (KCBS) — Despite the expected heavy rain from this week's upcoming storm, customers with the East Bay Municipal Utility District will see their water bills increase to cover costs for improving services associated to the state's ongoing drought.
The East Bay MUD Board of Directors voted Tuesday to approve a new 14 percent surcharge to begin in January.
District managers said the increase would average out to be about $4.30 a month for the typical single family.
The estimated $16 million raised by the surcharge would go to buy more emergency water from the Sacramento River.
The surcharge is temporary, however, and if there is enought rain this winter, it would be phased out, district manager said.
The Board also voted to ask customers to voluntarily cut their water use by 15 percent—5 percent more than previously requested.