Business owners and residents will see costs go up on their March water bill after the City Council approved a 5 percent rate increase for 2018 at their Jan. 9 meeting. The money will help pay for a Sustainable Water Master Plan update and other facility upgrades and studies needed for the city to reach its goal of water self-sufficiency by 2020. With the increase, the average bi-monthly residential bill rises from $91.64 to $96.27, according to staff estimates.

To date, the City has been awarded $330 million in settlement funds over the pollution of Santa Monica’s groundwater by major oil companies. The Director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment told the Council that about $120 million of the funds are unrestricted.

“It can be used by council however it wants,” Kubani said.

In last year’s budget, the Council allocated $50 million of the funds for the City Yard project and $7 for the new City Services Building.

Read More: http://smdp.com/council-approves-rate-increase/163917