Water Rate Subsidies Coming to San Diego

Relief from spiking water rates for low-income residents in San Diego could be available as soon as summer 2017.

In the wake of 40 percent rate increases over four years that the City Council approved last November, the city is creating a special assistance fund for the poorest among its roughly 280,000 ratepayers. The fund, which the council approved unanimously last week, will come from tax-deductible donations and possible matching funds from corporations or the city’s general fund.