East Bay Water, Sewer Rates Headed Higher

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- Water rates at the East Bay's largest water district are on the increase beginning next month.

Customers of the East Bay Municipal Utilities District will pay 9.5 percent more following a unanimous vote by the board.

Other customers in western Contra Costa and Alameda counties will also pay 8.5 percent higher sewer rates.

EBMUD said the hikes are needed to improve maintenance and for replacement of old pipes and equipment.

"We have an aging system and maintaining it is costing us more," said EBMUD spokeswoman Abby Figueroa. "So we're looking at having to replace more miles of pipelines every year."

The water rate increase is similar to one that took effect a year ago.