WATER AND SEWER RATES are going up in Huntignton Beach (Flickr/Beth Kinsey).

A compromise increase in water and sewer rates was approved by the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday night.

After lengthy presentations and discussion, the council finally voted 5-2 in favor of an amended proposal with Councilmembers Rhonda Bolton and Pat Burns voting “no.”

At present, the typical single family home customer is paying $54.84 monthly in combined water and sewer costs. The original proposal was for a increase to $60.68 cents in the first year of the scenario, rising to $95.59 by July 2028.

By scaling back some infrastructure work, water staff calculated they could cut that to $59.47 monthly starting in July, rising to $85.49 monthly in 2028.

Greater reductions was said to be difficult because water prices are dictated by suppliers Orange County Water District and Metropolitan Water District.

A compromise increase in water and sewer rates was approved by the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday night.

After lengthy presentations and discussion, the council finally voted 5-2 in favor of an amended proposal with Councilmembers Rhonda Bolton and Pat Burns voting “no.”

At present, the typical single family home customer is paying $54.84 monthly in combined water and sewer costs. The original proposal was for a increase to $60.68 cents in the first year of the scenario, rising to $95.59 by July 2028.

By scaling back some infrastructure work, water staff calculated they could cut that to $59.47 monthly starting in July, rising to $85.49 monthly in 2028.

Greater reductions was said to be difficult because water prices are dictated by suppliers Orange County Water District and Metropolitan Water District.