Pomona : Water Rates to Jump 29%

The City Council has approved a 29% increase in water rates for Pomona residents, effective Jan. 1. The increase is part of the council’s effort to repay $2 million it borrowed from the water department’s reserves and placed in the city’s general fund to balance this year’s budget.

According to James C. Lundie, manager of the water department, homeowners’ bills will go up an average of $3.18 a month, to an average of $14.18. The council also approved annual water rate increases for future years based on the consumer price index. Lundie said water rates had not been increased in Pomona since 1983.