By January 8, when the City Council voted to increase water rates in the city, there had already been well-above-average rainfall throughout California. To date, California has received 18 trillion gallons of rain this season. This is nearly half the volume of Lake Tahoe.

Staff presented three reasons for the hike, all allegedly going toward creating "water self-sufficiency" for the city.

1. Preliminary design of water treatment plant capacity and efficiency improvements

2. Purchase of a new groundwater well

3. Annual replacement of water mains that have hit the 100-year mark

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2019/02/21/news/water-rate-increase-is-entirely-intended-to-subsidize-development-in-santa-monica/3828.html