Claremont Water Users to Pay 15 Percent Increase in 2013

Claremont officials remain frustrated after a settlement agreement between the Golden State Water Company and the Division of Ratepayers Advocates has left city water users with a 15 percent rate increase for 2013.

The agreement bewteen Golden State and the DRA, the advocacy arm of the Claifornia Public Utilities Commission, effectively ended months of legal wrangling between city governments and the water company for lower water rates.

Though the rate is significantly lower than the 24 percent increase Golden State had orginally sought, Mayor Larry Schroeder expressed his dissatisfaction with the settlement in a press release.

"We are of the opinion that the rates agreed upon by the DRA and Golden State Water are still too high for our residents,” Schroeder said.

“Many of our residents are struggling to afford their current water rates. A 15% increase in one year is unacceptable.”

Water users will also pay a 2 percent increase in 2014, and 1.8 percent in 2015.

The group of cities protesting the water rate increases included Claremont, Placentia, Cypress, Stanton, Apple Valley and Barstow.

According to the press release, Claremont is continuing to explore options for purchasing water rights and Golden State facilities in the city.