Disagreement Over New Sewer Rates

In reference to your biased editorial of Jan. 18 regarding the whining of the San Fernando Valley homeowners (“Revamped Sewer Rates Fill the Bill”), let’s set the record straight.

In March of 1997, we paid a sewer rate of $1.02 per HCF [hundred cubic feet]. Today the rate is $2.26 per HCF. I don’t think a rate increase, or hidden tax increase, of 122% is something to whine about.

In March of 1997, the amount of my sewer charge was 49% of my charge for water. Today, it is 338% of my water charge. I don’t think that this is something to whine about.

My total usage of water, including irrigation of my lawn for 1997, was 715 HCF. My total sewer charge was [for] 805 HCF, and today the Department of Water and Power can’t tell me how I disposed of more water than I purchased. This is something to whine about.

According to your beliefs, the members of the Boston Tea Party would be the ultimate whiners. Do we have any less right to challenge the abuse of authority?

JAY JORBAN

Northridge

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The new sewer rates were instituted after the city was sued to change the old sewer rates in the Shinkle vs. City of Los Angeles class-action suit in July 1996.

It is possible to determine the amount of water going into the sewer from each household by measuring only the water used in the house. The installation of a special meter was authorized by the city on May 1, 1996, by ordinance No. 171056. The meter costs are estimated between $200 and $300 per household.

On Feb. 17, a hearing will be held to certify a class of people who are due refunds. Approximately 501,000 households pay the sewer service charge. Of this, approximately 250,000 may have overpaid.

As part of the Shinkle class-action suit, we intend to require the city to repay to the users the excess charges from the pre-1996 time period, and to require the city to install the meters in each home without cost to the homeowner.

This should solve the sewer rate problem.

RICHARD I. FINE

Attorney for Plaintiffs,

Shinkle Class-Action Suit

Los Angeles