Vallejo wastewater district to hold final public hearing on proposed sewer rate increases

VALLEJO – The Vallejo Flood and Wastewater district will have its final public hearing tonight on a proposal to increase residential sewer rates.

Under the plan, sewer rates for Vallejo homeowners will increase by an average of $108 per year for 5 years. Each year monthly rates will rise by an average of $9 bringing the current rate of $64.12 per month  or $768.44 per year to $109.18 per month or $1,310.16 per year by July 2027. A comparable increase in commercial and industrial rate schedules is also part of the proposal.

The increase is based on a 10-year capital improvement plan intended to rebuild aging sewer mains and replace and update pumps and equipment.

California law does not allow wastewater districts to charge more than the cost of providing the service. The rate increase is based on a rate study that takes into account the capital improvements as well as rising prices for supplies, employee benefits, new regulatory costs and adaptation to increased storm intensity.

The Flood and Wastewater district sent out a mailer on April 20 with a schedule of public information meetings and a notice regarding tonight’s public hearing on the proposed increase. California law requires a 45-day notice period prior to a public hearing for the fee increase.

Up until the close of tonight’s public hearing, property owners can submit a protest letter. If a majority protest of 18,887 letters or more are received then the district board may not move forward with the rate increase. The wastewater district’s webpage has more information on the rate increase as well as direction on how to submit a protest letter.

Low income property owners enrolled in PG&E’s CARE program can also receive a discount on their wastewater service of 17.5% in the upcoming year.

Tonight’s hearing on the wastewater rate increase will be held at 6 p.m. in city council chambers at 555 Santa Clara St. The meeting is also available over Zoom.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the proposed annual rate.