The City of Oceanside may adjust its water rates so that, during a drought, heavy users will get penalized.
The City Council tentatively approved a special rate schedule that would take effect during mandatory water reductions. The amount would depend on the severity of the drought. For example, during the most extreme conditions, single-family homes in the highest usage tier would see water rates jump 150 percent.
So Cal water agencies are readying for probable reductions this summer from the the region's primary water provider, the Metropolitan Water District. If that goes through the city will like raise its drought-threat level, said the city's water utilities director Lonnie Thibodeaux.
The council voted 4-0, and a public hearing for this proposal is set for May 20.
