Palo Alto Water Bill Increase Doesn't Wash With Many Residents

PALO ALTO (KCBS)— Residents in Palo Alto will experience an increase in their water bill by as much as 21 to 29 percent to help pay for the $4.6 billion upgrade to the aging Hetch Hetchy water system.

The rate hike doesn't wash with many residents and businesses. Jim Bitler at Keeble and Shuchat Photography called it another blow.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

"It's very difficult to stay in business in this economy with these types of obstacles. We already have enough to deal with," Bitler said.

Another woman called the increase outrageous.

"30 percent? I mean what about eight or 10 percent maybe? It's ridiculous," she said.

Palo Alto Councilman Pat Burt said the bottom line is the hundred year-old-Hetch Hetchy system needs to be made seismically safe.

"It's a major project that is vital for emergencies and it's going to serve us for a very long time," Burt said.

Local residents should also know that garbage rates are also going up. The council voted to add a 4.62 cent fee to cover an almost $4 million shortfall in its refuse operation.

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