SoCal Residents Will See Higher Water Rates in 2025, 2026

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which provides water to more than 19 million people over six counties, recently announced it will increase rates and property tax levies the next two years while the state goes through various changes to its water system. The agency’s 38-member board voted April 9 to increase water rates by 8.5 percent in 2025 and another 8.5 percent in 2026. “We understand the impact rate increases can have on businesses and residents, so we have taken great steps to limit our increase as much as possible,” General Manager Adel Hagekhalil said in a press release. “But it is critical that we continue to fund investments and programs that bring safe water to our communities, with no one left behind.”...