District proposes water, sewer hikes

Ramona Municipal Water District (RMWD) customers can expect notices of a public hearing on proposed water and sewer rate hikes in the mail this week and early next week.

A public hearing to consider the proposed increases will be held in Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23. People wishing to comment on the proposed hikes may do so at the hearing or in writing to the RMWD office, 105 Earlham St. or P.O. Box 1829, Ramona. Written comments must be received before the close of the hearing.

If the proposed increases are approved, water customers are looking at a 5 percent increase and sewer customers will see an 8 percent increase.

In addition, customers will be billed for any increase from the district’s wholesale supplier of imported water, the San Diego Water Authority, and any increases in electricity costs from San Diego Gas & Electric. These are referred to as pass-through increases.

“The total pass through impact on any given retail rate over the three-year period shall not exceed a 30 percent increase,” the proposal reads.

RMWD’s finance office reports the district has 9,500 water customers and 7,997 sewer customers. Of the total sewer customers, 3,776 are serviced by the San Vicente Sewer System and 4,221 are serviced by the Santa Maria Sewer System.

Some customers receive sewer and water from the district, while others receive just sewer service or water because they have a septic system or well. San Vicente Sewer System serves mainly San Diego Country Estates and Ryland Homes. The Santa Maria plant serves mainly the downtown Ramona area and Mt. Woodson.