San Diego households already dealing with higher water bills may want to buckle up. A new long-range analysis presented to city leaders this week warns that rates might need to climb about 44% between 2028 and 2031, on top of increases already approved for this year. Council members were shown a financial model that city staff say reflects a one-two punch of rising wholesale costs and weaker water sales that together are squeezing the utility’s ability to cover day-to-day operations and long-planned capital projects.
The projection, described to council members as a roughly 50-page analysis, has already sparked attention in local coverage. The study forecasts about a 44.2% rise in water rates over four years and flags roughly a 15% bump in sewer rates in 2030 and…..