San Diego City Council is holding a public hearing at 2 p.m. today to consider a water-rate increase to fund its planned pilot study of sewage recycling.
The council wants to purify sewage and use it as a drinking water source. If approved, the city will study whether it’s feasible and safe to purify sewage and use it to help fill the San Vicente Reservoir. (No recycled sewage would actually be put in the reservoir until the study is complete.)
The rate increase, which would boost an average household’s monthly bills by $1.12, would stay in effect for 18 months. It would raise $10.7 million needed to fund the pilot study, which is expected to take two years.
The council will also consider a separate rate increase that’s coming because the San Diego County Water Authority, the region’s main supplier, is increasing its rates. It would increase an average user’s bill another $3.31 a month.