Hold onto your tap! San Diego County residents will see an overall 8.5 percent increase in water rates, following a City Council vote Tuesday.
The council voted unanimously to cover the rising costs of the city's water purchases. That will translate into a $3.31 cent hike per single-family home.
They also voted 5-3 to cover the costs of a pilot project that could turn highly-treated wastewater into drinking water. Councilmen Kevin Faulconer, Tony Young and Brain Maienschein cast the dissenting votes. The $1.19 per single-family residence will expire after the cost of the $11.8 million project has been recouped.
The higher fees will take effect Jan. 1.
The city of San Diego is under a Level 1 drought watch and has called for voluntary conservation.