West Sacramento residents’ water and sewer utility fees will increase and for some could nearly double under new rates approved unanimously this week by the city council and which will go into effect starting next month.
The city has not raised prices since 2021 after a rate study was conducted nearly 10 years ago, according to city officials. However, the pipes, pumps and other machinery — inherited from Yolo County after the city incorporated in 1987 — require replacement, said Rebecca Scott, the director of public works operations and maintenance director.
Economic downtowns and hardships wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic led city officials to pause raising rates, which typically happen every five years, said City Manager Aaron Laurel…