HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 Rate Increase Notice - Residential Water
On October 5, 2022, the Otay Water District (District) authorized rate increases, for a period of five years, that pass
through to our customers (1) the increased or decreased costs of wholesale water supply and (2) any other cost
increases unrelated to wholesale water up to the annual CPI increase (Consumer Price Index-U for the San Diego-
Carlsbad Area as of January 31 of the preceding year). As part of the annual budget process completed in June 2025,
the District approved implementing a water rate increase to proportionately recover the increasing costs from the
District’s wholesale water suppliers (Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and San Diego County Water
Authority), as well as to cover increased costs of administering and operating the Otay water system. As a result, the
District will raise its water rates by 8.3%, effective for billings starting January 1, 2026. Depending on your billing cycle,
the new rates and charges will apply to water used as early as the beginning of December 2025. This rate increase is
81% attributable to unavoidable increased charges from wholesale water suppliers.
Your water bill has four components: the Water Rate, the Energy Charge, the MWD/CWA Charge, and the System
Charge. Each of those charges, and the change in cost, is described below.
The Water Rate(1) (per unit) is based on your water usage. One
unit of consumption (1 hundred cubic feet) equals 748 gallons.
The Energy Charge represents the cost of the energy
required to pump or lift each unit of water to your home.
This charge is applied proportionately for every 100 feet
of elevation over 450 feet. Customers located at higher
elevations pay a higher Energy Charge than customers
at lower elevations.
Water Consumption Current New
1st through 9th units $6.16 $6.66
10th - 12th units $6.69 $7.23 Energy Charge Current New
13th and additional units $7.43 $8.03 Per unit of water $0.109 $0.092
MWD/CWA Charges are based on meter size and reflect the costs charged by wholesale water suppliers Metropolitan Water
District and County Water Authority.
System Charges, also based on meter size, and ensure that customers pay their proportionate share of the water system’s
replacement, maintenance, and operating expenses.
Current New
Meter
Size System Charges MWD/CWA Total System Charges MWD/CWA Total
3/4” $21.16 $21.37 $42.53 $22.88 $23.89 $46.77
1” $26.31 $35.61 $61.92 $28.45 $39.82 $68.27
1 1/2” $39.49 $71.19 $110.68 $42.70 $79.60 $122.30
2” $55.07 $113.89 $168.96 $59.55 $127.34 $186.89
TYPICAL BILL FOR HOUSEHOLD USING 10 HCF (units) OF WATER PER MONTH
The water bill for a typical single-family residential customer with a 3/4-inch meter using 10 units of water per
month will increase by $9.44 per month beginning January 1, 2026. Depending on your billing cycle, the new
rates and charges will apply to water used as early as the beginning of December 2025.
The table below shows the itemized charges that determine a monthly water bill for a customer who uses 10 HCF (hundred cubic feet)
of water per month. Your bill will vary based on your meter size, your water consumption in units, and your geographic location.
Current A x B = C + D + E + F = G
Unit Structure Water
Use
x
Water
Rate Set by
District
=
Water Rate
Multiply A x B
+
Energy
Charge Based on
Average
+
System
Charge Set by
District
+
MWD/CWA
Charge Pass-Through
Fixed Charges
=
Total
Monthly Water Bill
Add C+D+E+F
Tier 1 (0-9 HCF) 9 HCF x $6.16 = $55.44
Tier 2 (10-12 HCF) 1 HCF x $6.69 = $6.69
Tier 3 (13 or more HCF) 0 HCF x $7.43 = $0.00
Total $62.13 + $3.10 + $21.16 + $21.37 = $107.76
New A x B = C + D + E + F = G
Tier 1 (0-9 HCF) 9 HCF x $6.66 = $59.94
Tier 2 (10-12 HCF) 1 HCF x $7.23 = $7.23
Tier 3 (13 or more HCF) 0 HCF x $8.03 = $0.00
Total $67.17 + $3.26 + $22.88 + $23.89 = $117.20
NOTICE OF WATER RATES, FEES, AND CHARGES FOR WATER
BILLED BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2026
This information reflects only changes to rates. For a comprehensive listing, see the Otay Water District’s Code of Ordinances at otaywater.gov.
Si requiere asistencia en español con referencia a esta notificación, favor de llamar al 619-670-2222.
Notice of Residential
Water Rate Increase
Otay Water District
2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd.
Spring Valley, CA 91978-2004
619-670-2222
otaywater.gov
(1) Customers outside the service area or Interim Users, as defined in Section 25 of the District’s Code of Ordinances, will pay a usage fee equivalent to
two times the listed usage fee, plus any additional fees associated with their respective customer class.