Rising water rates spark regional debate over supply, costs

While agencies build drought-resilient systems like Pure Water, San Diego and North County residents are questioning skyrocketing costs

Water rates have been a concern for residents but a legal settlement, supply and Pure Water projects are expected to stabilize rates in the future. Courtesy image

Note: This is the first part of a two-part series on water in North County. Part 2 will run on Sunday.

NORTH COUNTY — Concerns over water rates have garnered headlines in recent weeks as agencies, cities and residents call those costs into question.

In Carlsbad, the city approved a 49% increase over the next three years, although other cities, such as Oceanside (6%) and the Santa Fe Irrigation District (2%), had single-digit increases. Still, the issue is raising tensions as massive, large-scale projects come online, maintenance, operation and labor costs increase.

Those projects include Pure Water in San Diego, Oceanside, and East County, which in total cost several billion dollars. Those projects recycle city wastewater into potable (drinking) water and bring a reliable source of water for those residents.

Some, like former Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall, are questioning why rates are so high when the San Diego County Water Authority “has more water than it’s ever had.”

The issue exploded recently as the city of San Diego is considering a proposal of a 62% increase for water and 32% increase in sewer over the next four years, starting in 2026. The proposal is on top of an 8.7% increase on Jan. 1.

The issue has been so contentious, San Diego City Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera suggested the city leave the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). If pursued, San Diego’s attempt must go before a countywide vote due to a law authored by Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas) last year after the Rainbow and Fallbrook districts left the SDCWA for the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) over cheaper water, among other issues.

According to SDCWA, 91% of costs are driven by three factors: water purchases and treatment, debt service and infrastructure projects.

“Since I became chair in 2024, I have been laser-focused on affordability for ratepayers,” SDCWA Board Chairman Nick Serrano of San Diego said. “While I recognize the impact of this increase on working families around the region, the Water Authority is now on a path for smoother and smaller rate increases in the future that will provide the financial stability our region needs while still ensuring safe and reliable water supplies.”

Water storage, diverse portfolio

SDCWA has spent years and billions on hardening its infrastructure and securing supply. The SDCWA has about 719,000 acre-feet of storage water across several reservoirs, along with another 100,000 acre-feet in Lake Mead in Nevada. An acre-foot is one foot of water deep across an area about the size of a football field with 326,000 gallons.