On Tuesday night, the Poway City Council unanimously voted to increase water rates. The rate increase puts Poway water rates as the third most expensive in the county. The City Council acknowledged changes need to be made, but still hiked rates despite customer’s outcry. The City Council proposed to increase water rates by almost $10.92 bi-monthly for the average customer, plus $16.50 for the drought surcharge that has been suspended for the past year.