Wells, Pumps, and Reservoir Costs Could Prompt 44% Water Rate Increase in San Jose

By: Brian Shields - Mon, 21 May 2012 23:10:08 -0800
SAN JOSE (KRON) -- If state regulators agree, your water bill could go up 44% in the next three years for customers of the San Jose Water Company.

The California Public Utility Commission would have to approve the increase which would see the average water bill go from $65 today to $93 by the end of 2015.

Water company officials say the increase is needed to keep the system working.

"We are a 150 year old company and we have a lot of infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life that needs to be replaced such as wells, pipelines, reservoirs, and so on," Water Company Vice President Palle Jensen tells KRON 4's Reggie Kumar.  

The plan calls for a 21.51% increase in 2013, a 4.8% hike in 2014 and a 12.59% hike in 2015.

Many customers are expressing outrage at the proposed increases.  A board member for the CPUC was on hand for a public hearing Monday evening at the San Jose Athletic Club.  A final vote on the increase could take place before the end of the year.

(Copyright 2012, KRON 4, All rights reserved.)
blog comments powered by Disqus