By Sara Beth Williams–
The Citrus Heights Water District Board of Directors voted 2-1 in favor of increasing its rates for the upcoming year during a public hearing held Wednesday evening, Nov. 12.
The hearing was held at the Citrus Heights Event Center. Citrus Heights Water board president Ray Reihle said five residents gave public comment, three speaking in favor of the rate increase, and two speaking against the rate increase. Reihle said he and board vice president Caryl Sheehan voted in favor of the rate increase, and board member David Wheaton voted against the rate hike.
Five letters were also received and included in the agenda packet for the board of directors to read, all from residents opposing the rate increase.
According to a Notice of Public hearing issued by the district, the rate hike is part of a proactive plan to replace aging water pipes before they fail, helping to prevent costly emergency repairs, water outages, and property damage. More than 70 percent of the district’s pipelines were installed between 1960 and 1985, and with the average pipe lifespan at about 70 years, much of the system is nearing the end of its service life.
Reihle explained that the district is expecting to begin replacing aging pipeline by 2030, and has been setting money aside each year to help offset the cost of the major project.
“You need a lot [of opposition] to overturn any possibility of turning down the rate increase,” Reihle said, adding that the district will consider declining a rate hike if 50 percent of rate payers are opposed. The district includes roughly 20,000 customers, 1,500 of which also live in Orangevale.
Reihle also said the district followed all legally required procedures in relation to notifying their customers of the upcoming public hearing. The district issued Notices of a Public Hearing, and also visited multiple community organizations such as neighborhood associations, the Rotary Club of Citrus Heights, the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, and more, in an attempt to inform the public.
The proposed rate adjustment will take effect Jan. 1, 2026 and includes changes to usage charges and customer service charges, which are billed bi-monthly and per meter. As a not-for-profit government agency, the district receives no tax revenue, meaning water rates must fully cover the cost of providing service.
“The Citrus Heights Water District has implemented modest rate adjustments four out of the last five years. Even with these adjustments, we remain the lowest cost water provider in the City of Citrus Heights and below the regional rate average,” Citrus Heights Water District Public Affairs and Communication officer Mary Elise Conzelmann said in a statement Saturday.
Related: EDITORIAL: Why no one listens to outrage at repeated water rate hikes – Citrus Heights Sentinel
To help customers save money, the district offers several rebate programs, including, an Ultra-Low Flush Toilet Rebate of $75 for installing a new ULF toilet, a Pressure Reducing Valve Rebate available for installing a PRV after passing an on-site inspection, High-Efficiency Washer Rebates of $50 for Energy Star models and $75 for washers on the EPA’s “Most Efficient” list, and a Smart Controllers Program, where qualifying customers can receive a free smart irrigation controller, allowing remote control of watering schedules.
The district is also hoping to launch a New Tree rebate soon, which would give customers rebates for planting approved, water-efficient shade trees that promote cooling and conservation.
For more details about these programs, visit chwd.org/Rebates.
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