The City Council Public Hearing held on May 16, 2023 concluded with an official accounting from the City Clerk that 47 protests had been received by property owners/rate payers in Manhattan Beach.  This number did not meet the majority protest to overturn the rate increase (the City would need to have received over 6,600 protests to overturn the rate increase).  Therefore, City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-0051, adopting the annual rate increases for 5 years. 

Date rates effective: November 1, 2023

Rates reflected in customer bills for the first time: January 2024

Rates will adjust each November 1, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027. 

Click here to view the final adopted water rates, effective November 1, 2023. 

After the 5 year period, the City would need to perform the Proposition 218 process again to increase rates for another 5 years. 

Questions about your current bill?  Contact Utility Billing at (310) 802-5486 or email revenue@manhattanbeach.gov.

A written Wastewater Rate Study Report, prepared by Black & Veatch, an independent financial consulting firm specializing in cost-of-service analyses and rate setting, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and available for public inspection. The net impact of the proposed changes in the wastewater service rates for customers will vary based on actual wastewater produced and meter size. 

Public Works staff presented the rate analysis at the City Council meeting on March 21, 2023. It is item number 9 on the agenda under General Business.

2023 Wastewater Rate Study Report (PDF)

Questions? Contact Public Works at (310) 802-5312 or email at publicworks@manhattanbeach.gov 

Per Proposition 218, the City could not impose these rate changes without providing the property owners/rate payers an opportunity to protest and essentially overturn the rate increase.  A Proposition 218 notice will be sent to all property owners/rate payers of record that receive wastewater service from the City and may be impacted by these changes. The new wastewater rates will to be effective November 1, 2023 and will be adjusted each November 1st for 5 years (November 1 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027).  The rate schedule shows the proposed rates, subject to potential pass-through adjustments. The rates effective after the 5th year increase cannot be adjusted again unless the City undertakes the Proposition 218 process again to change the rates.

Any property owner or tenant who is directly responsible for payment of wastewater service rates (i.e., a “wastewater customer”) was provided a window to submit a protest against the proposed changes to the water service rates. Legally, a 45 day window is required, but the City of Manhattan Beach provided a 49 day window.  Tenants that are not directly responsible for payment of wastewater service rates received this notice as a courtesy.  City Council could not consider this type of tenants' protest in determining whether a majority protest exists against the proposed changes to the wastewater service rates.          

Property Owner/Rate Payer: If you own property in the City or you are a tenant who is directly responsible for payment of City wastewater utility bills, you had the legal right to submit a protest to the changes to the wastewater service rates.

Tenant/Non-Rate Payer: If you rent or lease  property in the City and you are not directly responsible for payment of wastewater utility bills, you received this notice as a courtesy.   

Questions? Contact Public Works at (310) 802-5312 or email publicworks@manhattanbeach.gov 

The City of Manhattan Beach hosted a Community Meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 6:00 PM. 

Video recording from the April 19th Community Meeting.

The proposed changes to the wastewater service (sewer) rates were reviewed and staff was available to answer questions the public had regarding this process. The hybrid meeting took place in-person in the City Council Chambers, (1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) and on Zoom.

Questions? Contact Public Works at (310) 802-5312 or email publicworks@manhattanbeach.gov

Bill Calculator for Proposed Rates

The Public Hearing held on May 16, 2023, concluded with an official accounting from the City Clerk that 47 protests had been received by property owners/rate payers in Manhattan Beach.  This number did not meet the majority protest to overturn the rate increase.  Therefore, City Council adopted Resolution No. 23-0051, adopting the annual rate increases for 5 years.  The rates are effective November 1, 2023, and will be reflected in customer bills for the first time beginning in January 2024.  Rates will adjust each November 1, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.  After the 5 year period, the City would need to perform the Proposition 218 process again to increase rates for another 5 years.

If you are curious about your potential wastewater rate, the City created a Bill Calculator to estimate scenarios based on meter size, dwelling type and wastewater you produce. You will need information from an existing bill to input below. 

WASTEWATER BILL (SEWER) CALCULATOR

Why is the City considering changing the wastewater rates?

The City’s current wastewater rates were last updated in 2014. The proposed rate increases will ensure the City’s wastewater fund will be appropriately resourced to fund routine operational and maintenance costs, ensure that the City can continue to reinvest in its wastewater infrastructure, afford anticipated increases of labor and materials, and maintain reserves to ensure funds are available to address emergency and other unanticipated capital expenses.

If the proposed new rates are approved, how will my wastewater (sewer) bill be calculated?

For a typical customer, the bill would include two components:

• A Fixed Service Charge that is the same every billing cycle. This charge covers the administrative costs of billing, customer service, meter maintenance and fixed capacity costs. The larger your meter, the higher the fee.
• A Volumetric Charge, which is calculated based on the amount of wastewater you produce. This charge covers the cost of operations, maintenance, maintaining reserve funds, and critical infrastructure investment planned over the next five years. The more wastewater you produce, the more you pay. 

Components of a customer wastewater (sewer) bill:

Fixed Service Charge + Volumetric Charge = Customer Wastewater (Sewer) Bill

What can the typical Manhattan Beach residential wastewater customer expect to pay under the proposed rates?

Our typical single-family residential customer has either a 3/4” or 5/8” meter connection and produces 20 hundred cubic feet (HCF) of wastewater bi-monthly. Please note, 100 cubic feet is equal to 748 gallons of wastewater.  The proposed average single family residential customer’s wastewater bill will go up by approximately $5.49 bimonthly during the first year of the proposed rate increases.

The proposed average single family residential bimonthly customer wastewater (sewer) bill effective November 1, 2023:

Questions about your current bill?
Contact Utility Billing at (310) 802-5486 or email revenue@manhattanbeach.gov

Questions about Proposition 218?
Contact Public Works at (310) 802-5312 or email publicworks@manhattanbeach.gov

The list below provides names and descriptions of the 8 proposed projects over the next 5 years. We are proposing both sewer pipeline and lift station upgrades, prioritized based on their current condition as outlined in the City’s Wastewater Master Plan.

Annual Rehabilitation of Gravity Sewer Mains

The Annual Rehabilitation of Gravity Sewer Mains Program is a preventive maintenance program that aims to improve the reliability and performance of the City's sewer system. The project involves inspecting, cleaning, and spot-repairing various locations of 80 miles of sewer mains located throughout the City. The project also includes replacing or rehabilitating manholes, service laterals, and other sewer appurtenances. The project is expected to reduce the risk of sewer overflows, backups, and odors, as well as extend the service life of the sewer infrastructure.

Bell Lift Station Upgrade

Bell Ave Sewer Lift Station Upgrade Project involves constructing a new sizeable emergency storage wet well, replacing the existing station and appurtenances, and installing a new force main pipeline.

Palm Lift Station Upgrade

Palm Ave Sewer Lift Station Upgrade Project involves constructing a new sizeable emergency storage wet well, replacing the existing station and appurtenances, and installing a new force main pipeline.

Meadows Lift Station Upgrade

Meadows Ave Sewer Lift Station Upgrade Project involves constructing a new sizeable emergency storage wet well, replacing the existing station and appurtenances, and installing a new force main pipeline.

Voorhees Lift Station Upgrade

Voorhees Sewer Lift Station Upgrade Project involves expansion of emergency storage wet well, upgrading existing station components (i.e. pumps, electrical, generator, etc.), and new force main installation.

Pacific Lift Station Replacement (Gravity Sewer)

Pacific Ave Sewer Lift Station conversion to a gravity sewer pipeline involves demolition of the existing station, installation of manholes, and 600 feet of microtunneling to connect to a Los Angeles County Sanitation District sewer pipeline located at Pacific Ave and Ardmore Ave.

Poinsettia Ave Sewer Lift Station and Force Main Replacement

Poinsettia Ave Sewer Lift Station and Force Main Replacement Project involves constructing a new sizeable emergency storage wet well, replacing the existing station and appurtenances, and installing a new force main pipeline.

Wastewater Master Plan Update

The Manhattan Beach Wastewater Master Plan Update aims to assess the current and future needs of the City's wastewater system and identify the best solutions to meet those needs. The project will evaluate the condition and capacity of the existing wastewater infrastructure, including pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities, and develop a prioritized list of CIP improvement projects based on technical, financial, and environmental criteria. The project will also consider the impacts of population growth and regulatory changes on the wastewater system and propose strategies to enhance its resilience and sustainability.