Water-Saving San Diegans’ Bills Won’t Go Up As Steeply as Feared. Here’s Why.

A court ruling is prompting San Diego to propose new water rates that eliminate discounts for conservation — requiring rate hikes for low-volume users and cheaper water for high-volume users.

But the rate hikes for low-volume users are smaller than previously estimated, because plaintiffs in the court case agreed to a $40 million settlement — despite the courts awarding them $118 million.