On Tuesday, September 1, 2009, the Manhattan Beach City Council reviewed the Water and Sewer Rates and Rates Structure Staff Report Agenda Item #12 (PDF) and adopted a plan to increase water and wastewater (sewer) rates over the next five years, starting with utility bills issued January 1, 2010. The proposed rate changes are necessary to keep pace with the known and expected increases in wholesale cost of water purchased by the City, some of which is driven by the on-going drought and water shortage. The rates will also provide for infrastructure repairs, maintenance and construction, including water and sewer mains, reservoirs and water wells, which are necessary to ensure the viability and safety of our water and wastewater systems.

The proposed rate increases are listed on the attached documents:

• Proposed Water Rate Increases (PDF)
• Year Over Year Water Rate Comparison (PDF)
• Proposed Recycled Water, Fireline and Sewer Rates (PDF)

How are rates determined?  Water rates depend upon the size of water meter utilized, as well as the amount of water consumed. To determine your meter size you may either refer to a pre-July 2009 water bill which lists your meter size, or you may call the Utility Billing Department at (310) 802-5559 for assistance.  Other inquiries related to the water and sewer rate increase can be directed the Utility Rates email.

View the Water and Sewer Rate Community Meetings
The City of Manhattan Beach offered two opportunities to attend Community Meetings on the proposed water and sewer rate increases.  During the Community Meetings, residents were provided with the Community Meeting PowerPoint (PDF) handout which is the same information City Council received when they deliberated the rates.  

The Community Meetings were recorded for your reference.  Select one of the video links below to view or listen online.

• Community Meeting on Wednesday, October 7th (Video)
• Community Meeting on Tuesday, October 13th (Video)

Public Hearing Tuesday October 20th
A public hearing on the proposed rate increases originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th has been postponed to Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30 PM during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. The Notice of Rescheduled Public Hearing for Water and Sewer Rate Increases (PDF) letter was mailed to all rate payers as notification of the change. The letter includes additional information on the justification for the increases as well. The postponement of the hearing will allow the public more time to review and comment on the proposed rates, as well as to ensure compliance with the state law governing the implementation of new water and sewer rates. Protests of the new rates will be received up until public hearing on October 20th. 

Please note that the City purchases imported water from the West Basin Municipal Water District who purchases water supplies from the Metropolitan Water District. For information on the need for water conservation, visit the City's Water Conservation page. For more information on the City's water and sewer rates, please visit the Water and Sewer Rates or Rates FAQS page.

Water and Sewer Rates Summary of Information
For your convenience, the following is a summary of information related to the water and sewer rates analysis and capital improvement program.

• City Council Study Session on July 28, 2009
• Review of Water and Sewer Revenue Needs (PDF)
• Review of Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Needs (PDF)
• Water Presentation (PDF)
• Sewer (Wastewater) System Capital Improvement Program (PDF)
• City Council Meeting on September 1, 2009
• Staff Report and Presentation Water and Sewer Rates and Rates Structure (PDF)
• Additional Information
• Proposed Water Rate Increases (PDF)
• Year Over Year Water Rate Comparison (PDF)
• Proposed Recycled Water, Fireline and Sewer Rates (PDF)
• Water and Sewer Rate Analysis (PDF)
• Water System Capital Improvement Program (PDF)
• Sewer (Wastewater) System Capital Improvement Program (PDF)
• September 29, 2009 Notice of Rescheduled Public Hearing for Water and Sewer Rate Increases (PDF)
• Rates FAQS
• Water and Sewer Rates Community Meetings
• Community Meeting PowerPoint (PDF)
• October 7th Community Meeting Recording (Video)
• October 13th Community Meeting Recording (Video)