TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Jeffrey Provenzano, P.E.
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: May 11, 2026
Approved
Date:
5/12/26
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
RECOMMENDATION
(a) Hold a public hearing on the proposed Sewer Service and Use Charge rates effective July 1, 2026.
(b) Adopt a resolution making the following changes to the Sewer Service and Use Charge rates effective July 1, 2026:
Category Monthly Rates
Single-Family Residential $50.67
Multi-Family Residential $33.95 per unit
Mobile Home $38.25 per unit
Non-Monitored Commercial and Industrial See Attachment A Monitored Industrial See Attachment A
(c) Adopt a resolution making no changes to the Storm Sewer Service Charge so rates remain the same on July 1, 2026:
Category Monthly Rates
Single-Family Residential and Duplex $7.87
Mobile Home $3.94 per unit
Residential Condominium $4.30 per unit
Large Multi-Family Residential (5 or more units) $4.30 per unit Small Multi-Family Residential (3-4 units) $14.95
Commercial, Institutional and Industrial See Attachment B
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/2/26
FILE: 26-657
ITEM: 6.1
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The approval of the recommendations contained in this memorandum would enable the City Council to:
• Make changes to the Sewer Service and Use Charge (SSUC) rates effective July 1, 2026; and
• Make no change to the Storm Sewer Service Charge (SSSC) rates so they remain at the same rates as 2025 – 2026, effective July 1, 2026.
Approval of the proposed rates for SSUC and SSSC would enable the City to recover costs in the operations, maintenance, and capital improvement of wastewater and stormwater facilities and continue compliance with wastewater and stormwater discharge permit requirements.
BACKGROUND
Each year, City staff reviews the rates for the SSUC and SSSC to determine whether adjustments are necessary to align revenue with program costs. Most San José property owners are billed for the SSUC and SSSC as a single line-item amount on their property tax bill.
SSUCs are paid by residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial users of the sanitary sewer system. The charge covers costs associated with the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (Regional Wastewater Facility) and San José’s 2,000-mile sewage collection system, including operations and maintenance; capital and equipment improvements; and administration. San José Municipal Code Section
15.12.450 restricts SSUC revenue to the “acquisition, construction, reconstruction, maintenance and operation of the sanitary sewer system of the City of San José, to repay principal and interest on any bonds which may hereafter be issued for the construction or reconstruction of sanitation or sewerage facilities, and to repay federal or state loans or advances which may hereafter be made to the city for the construction or reconstruction of sanitary or sewerage facilities.” In early April, the Environmental Services Department issued notices to all sanitary sewer users of a potential SSUC revenue program increase of 3%, with residential users realizing a maximum 2.6% SSUC rate increase.
SSSCs are paid by all residential and non-residential premises connected to or served by the storm sewer system. Per San José Municipal Code Section 15.16.1300, SSSC revenue can only be used for “acquisition, repair, rehabilitation, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of the storm sewer system of the City of San José.” SSSC rates have remained unchanged since 2011-2012 and no increase is proposed for 2026-2027. Given that stormwater Municipal Regional Permit
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
requirements have expanded beyond maintenance of the storm pipe infrastructure, the Administration is in the process of evaluating funding gaps and alternative funding strategies for ongoing stormwater management activities, which may include a new revenue measure. The Administration will be further engaging the City Council once a recommendation has been finalized.
ANALYSIS
SSUC
SSUC rates are based on the volume of flow and the strength of the wastewater from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial properties. Residential customers are assigned a flat rate based on the assumed average discharge from their property type (e.g., single-family dwelling, multi-family dwelling, or mobile home). Non-residential customers are assigned a rate based on the volume of flow that is calculated by annualizing the average winter water usage, in addition to the assumption of their discharge strength. Strength is measured in terms of biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and ammonia. A small number of large industrial users (those discharging 25,000+ gallons per day) are billed monthly based on actual wastewater flow and discharge strength, as sampled by the Environmental Services Department’s (ESD) Pre-Treatment Program. The rate structure was designed to apportion the cost of wastewater treatment services to properties in proportion to their relative contribution of flow and strength to the system. This structure is based on the State Revenue Guidelines and allows rates to reflect the costs of providing service to residential and non-residential properties. Rates are assigned by groupings, based on the type of use (e.g.: restaurants, retail, etc.). A new flow and strength study is being conducted by a third-party consultant over the course of the next two budget cycles, the result of which may impact future apportionment of rates.
In budget development for 2026-2027, a 3% increase in programmatic revenue levels was initially projected to maintain cost-recovery for the operations and maintenance costs for the sanitary sewer system and Regional Wastewater Facility. This proposed 3% revenue increase was reflected in Prop 218 notices sent to property owners in early April. The proposed program revenue adjustment has subsequently been revised to a 1% increase in the Proposed Source and Use of Funds Statement for the Sewer Service and Use Charge Fund, resulting in residential rate increases of 0.40-0.49%.
New proposed monthly residential rates are $50.67 for Single-Family homes (a $0.25 increase from 2025-2026), $33.97 for Multi-Family dwellings (a $0.17 increase), and $38.25 for Mobile Homes (a $0.15 increase). Most commercial customers will likewise experience minimal rate increases, with only those customer categories contributing comparably high levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), suspended solids, and/or ammonia realizing rate increases over 5%. Monitored industrial customer bills vary depending on the volume and strength of their actual discharge. In April, each
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
monitored industrial customer was provided an estimate of their 2026-2027 cost as part of the rate hearing notification process. The proposed new rates as outlined in Attachment A will keep the City of San José SSUC among the lowest in the region as shown in Attachment C.
SSUC Program Expenditures
ESD operates and maintains the Regional Wastewater Facility, which has treated wastewater from the community for 70 years, working non-stop to protect our health, bay, and economy. Aging pipes, pumps, and electrical systems need regular attention to continue successful operations. Further, the Regional Wastewater Facility is in the middle of substantial capital improvements, including upgrading facilities crucial to the removal of nutrients from organic matter, thereby protecting the health of the San Francisco Bay. Additionally, one-time operating costs will be realized in 2026-2027 due to the replacement of aging heavy equipment.
The Department of Transportation operates and maintains the sanitary sewer collection system which, like the Regional Wastewater Facility, needs resources to operate and maintain the system in a manner that complies with environmental regulations.
Maintaining system integrity continues to be key in reducing and preventing sanitary sewer overflows and controlling odors.
The SSUC Program costs and source of funding are detailed in the 2026-2027 Proposed Operating Budget and in the 2026-2027 Proposed Mid-Biennial Capital Budget and 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program. The proposed rates, effective July 1, 2026, would increase levels of funding to:
• Continue rehabilitation and replacement of critical infrastructure and equipment at the Regional Wastewater Facility;
• Offset debt service costs for the long-term financing of the Regional Wastewater Facility Capital Improvement Program;
• Maintain regulatory compliance and adequate operating reserves; and • Keep pace with the inflationary costs associated with the operations and maintenance of both the Regional Wastewater Facility and sewer collection system an.
It is important to note that costs of operation of the Regional Wastewater Facility are expected to continue to nominally increase over the next several years as more infrastructure reaches the end of its useable life and requires substantial capital improvement or replacement to comply with ever-increasing environmental regulations, such as the San Francisco Bay Region Nutrients Watershed Permit. As major sanitary assets typically last 30+ years, ESD and Public Works Department staff (managers of
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
the Sewer Service and Use Charge Capital Fund) will be financing many capital projects in the coming years, promoting generational equity in paying for these assets.
Any future rate increase would require notice to the property owner in compliance with state law. The chart below displays how the presently recommended $50.67 monthly single-family residential fee would be spent.
SSSC
SSSC rates are based on the relative quality and quantity of storm water runoff contributed by residential and non-residential properties. The rate structure was designed to apportion the cost of storm sewer service to properties in proportion to their relative contribution of flow and pollution to the system. Rates are assigned by groupings, based on the type of use. Residential customers are assigned a flat rate.
Rates for all other uses are calculated individually. Rates for non-residential properties include a charge based on acreage plus a flat charge reflecting runoff characteristics.
Rates have remained constant since 2011-2012, and no increases are recommended for 2026-2027, with the Single-Family monthly rate remaining at $7.87. Proposed SSSC rates for 2026-2027 are included in this memorandum as Attachment B.
As revenues from SSSC assessments remain flat, and inflationary increases to operations and maintenance costs increase over time, the Storm Sewer Operating Fund will soon have expenditures that exceed revenue collections. To extend the life of this fund, the Administration has taken several steps, including setting the transfer to the
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
Storm Sewer Capital Fund at $1.5 million in 2026-2027, deferring important capital rehabilitation projects in the storm sewer system. Additionally, the operations and maintenance reserve for this fund has been lowered to 45 days of operating costs - the minimal allowable level per ESD’s reserve policies. Current projections show that in 2029-2030, this fund will have more expenditures than revenues.
Compounding this challenge, the City has been required to inspect and maintain additional green stormwater infrastructure and implement more aggressive trash capture measures in each successive iteration of its Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit. This trend is expected to continue in development of the next permit, which will be effective July 2027. To prevent underinvestment in infrastructure and meet ever- increasing regulations, identifying additional funding for stormwater management is a priority for the City. The Administration is in the process of evaluating funding gaps and alternative funding strategies for ongoing stormwater management activities, which may include a new proposed revenue measure. The Administration will be further engaging the City Council once a recommendation has been finalized.
SSSC Program Expenditures
Approximately 43% of SSSC program expenditures go toward preventing and addressing pollutants in stormwater runoff. In addition to ongoing operations and maintenance expenses and the previously mentioned capital transfer, proposed SSSC expenses for 2026-2027 include one-time funding for the installation of storm drain inlet markers (an activity required by the Municipal Regional Permit) and replacement inspection vehicles.
The chart below displays how the recommended $7.87 monthly single-family residential fee would be spent effective July 1, 2026.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
Staff will return annually to the City Council with any recommended changes for the following year’s rates. Once approved for 2026-2027, the SSUC and SSSC will be billed to property owners. Most property owners are billed as a single line-item on their property tax.
A supplemental memorandum will be submitted to the City Council prior to the June 2, 2026 public hearing to report on the final number of written protests and comments received by the City Clerk’s Office in response to the SSUC rate notice. Furthermore, there is a 120-day statute of limitations to challenge any new, increased, or extended fee or charge.
FISCAL IMPACTS
The 2026-2027 Proposed Operating Budget assumes an overall 1% budget program revenue increase from the FY 2025-2026 budget in the SSUC Fund, generating approximately $213.6 million in revenues or $2 million more in FY 2026-2027 compared to the prior year to fund ongoing services and have adequate reserves. Maintaining the SSSC rates at the current levels will generate approximately $34 million in the Storm Sewer Operating Fund. Approval of the rates will enable the City to recover costs in the operations, maintenance, and capital improvements of wastewater and stormwater
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
facilities, continue compliance with wastewater and stormwater discharge permit requirements, and have adequate amounts in the reserves.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, the City Clerk’s Office, and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Noticing of proposed changes was conducted as required by Proposition 218. ESD sent Public Notices directly to all SSUC customers on April 8, 2026, advising them of the proposed rate changes to the SSUC and that a public hearing on the proposed rate change is scheduled for June 2, 2026. As of May 11, 2026, the City Clerk’s Office has received 1,321 letters of protest to SSUC rates from customers in response to the public notices. Written protests have been received by mail, fax, and email. In compliance with California Assembly Bill 2257 “Local government: property-related water and sewer fees and assessments: remedies”, the City issued responses to property owners submitting protests to proposed increases (see Attachment D). This memorandum will be posted on the City’s website for the June 2, 2026 City Council agenda.
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No board, commission, or committee recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Statutorily Exempt, File No. PP17-005, Statutory Exemption for Adjustment to Fees, Rates and Fares without changes to or expansion of services.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 11, 2026
Subject: Public Hearing on Sewer Service and Use Charge Rates and Storm Sewer Service Charge Rates
/s/
Jeffrey Provenzano, P.E.
Director, Environmental Services
For questions, please contact Kat Estrada, Administrative Officer, Environmental Services, at (408) 975-2569.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Sewer Service and Use Charge Schedule of Proposed Rates, Effective July 1, 2026 B. Storm Sewer Service Charge Schedule of Unchanged Rates, Effective July 1, 2026 C. Sewer Service and Use Charge Rate Comparison for Single Family Residential D. Response to SSUC Protests Received
1 ATTACHMENT A
SEWER SERVICE AND USE CHARGE SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED RATES, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS
INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL, AND LIGHT INDUSTRY CUSTOMERS (LESS THAN 25,000 GALLONS PER DAY)
Use
Current Rates Proposed Rates
(Effective July 1, 2026) Percent
Change Charge Per Hundred Cubic
Feet of Sewage Discharged
Charge Per Hundred Cubic
Feet of Sewage
Discharged
Meat Packers $6.61 $6.92 4.69%
Wholesale Bakeries $8.31 $8.89 6.98%
Soft Drink Bottlers $8.25 $8.59 4.12%
Paper Pulp Mills $10.86 $12.20 12.34%
Plating Works $4.34 $4.35 0.23%
Electrical Equipment
Manufacturers $5.04 $4.91 -2.58%
Machinery
Manufacturers $6.99 $7.49 7.15%
Film Service
Laboratories $4.95 $5.05 2.02%
Soft Water Services $4.38 $4.38 0.00%
Car Washes $4.75 $4.86 2.32%
Automotive Steam
Cleaners $9.81 $11.21 14.27%
Printing Plants $6.67 $7.12 6.75%
Restaurants/Delis $9.64 $10.05 4.25%
Hotel-Motels $5.34 $5.40 1.12%
Use
Current Rates Proposed Rates
Effective July 1, 2026 Monthly
Change Per Month Per Year Per Month Per Year
Single-Family Residence $50.42 $605.04 $50.67 $608.00 $0.25 Multiple-Family Residence (per
unit) $33.78 $405.36 $33.95 $407.36 $0.17
Mobile Home (per unit) $38.10 $457.20 $38.25 $459.04 $0.15 2 Use
Current Rates Proposed Rates
(Effective July 1, 2026)
Percent
Change Charge Per Hundred Cubic
Feet of Sewage Discharged
Charge Per Hundred Cubic
Feet of Sewage
Discharged
Hospitals and
Convalescent Homes
$5.13 $5.13 0.00%
Private Schools,
Colleges & Universities $6.16 $6.16 0.00%
Public Schools,
Colleges & Universities $6.16 $6.16 0.00%
Repair Shops & Service
Stations $5.44 $5.64 3.68%
Domestic Laundries $4.72 $4.76 0.85%
Retail, Commercial
Office, etc. $5.02 $5.04 0.40%
Business Office/Condos $5.02 $5.04 0.40%
Government Agencies $5.02 $5.04 0.40%
Medical Center/Clinic $5.14 $5.16 0.39%
Beauty Salons $5.33 $5.42 1.69%
Commercial &
Department Stores $5.33 $5.42 1.69%
Storage/Warehouse $4.99 $5.04 1.00%
Health Care $5.16 $5.19 0.58%
Theatres $5.33 $5.41 1.50%
Association/Communitie
s Services $5.02 $5.04 0.40%
Business Parks $5.17 $5.19 0.39%
Building
Construction/Field Office $5.16 $5.19 0.58%
Parking Lots $4.69 $4.69 0.00%
Gas Service Stations $5.28 $5.44 3.03%
Auto Showrooms, Body
Shops, Detail, and
Trucking
$5.76
$5.93 2.95%
Manufacturing Paint
Products $5.16 $5.19 0.58%
Concrete Companies $5.17 $5.19 0.39%
General Manufacturing
Industries $5.16 $5.19 0.58%
Chemical Manufacturing $5.16 $5.19 0.58%
Pubs $5.55 $5.67 2.16%
Athletic Club, Fitness $4.99 $5.04
1.00%
3 Use
Current Rates Proposed Rates
(Effective July 1, 2026)
Percent
Change Charge Per Hundred Cubic
Feet of Sewage Discharged
Charge Per Hundred Cubic
Feet of Sewage
Discharged
Cemeteries $4.99 $5.04 1.00%
Country Clubs (Golf) $5.32 $5.40 1.50%
Lounges, Clubs,
Billiards $5.33 $5.41 1.50%
Convenience Stores $4.99 $5.04 1.00%
Boarding/Rooming $5.43 $5.48 0.92%
Cleaners (Commercial
Laundry) $6.56 $6.75 2.90%
Plazas/Malls $5.80 $5.91 1.90%
Nursery (Growers) $6.18 $6.37 3.07%
Laboratories
(Commercial &
Industrial)
$6.19 $6.35 2.58%
Café & Ice Creams $10.25 $11.05 7.80%
Donuts & Bakeries $10.25 $11.05 7.80%
Supermarket Groceries $9.35 $9.85 5.35%
Mortuary (Embalming) $9.35 $9.85 5.35%
Catering $9.73 $10.29 5.76%
Miscellaneous
Commercial,
Institutional, and
Industrial $5.02 $5.04 0.40%
4 SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED SEWER SERVICE AND USE CHARGES
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026
RATES FOR MONITORED INDUSTRIES
CURRENT RATES
(Effective July 1, 2025)
PROPOSED RATES
(Effective July 1,
2026)
A. Capital Costs:
Annual charge per million gallons per
day
of FLOW capacity required, plus
$487,993 $455,346
Annual charge per thousand pounds per
day of BOD removal capacity required,
plus
$49,246 $76,975
Annual charge per thousand pounds per
day of SS removal capacity required,
plus
$35,041 $92,999
Annual charge per thousand pounds per
day of NH3 removal capacity required. $118,343 $83,191
B. Operations & Maintenance Costs:
Charge per Hundred Cubic Feet of
sewage discharged to the sanitary
sewer, plus
$2.733
($3,654/MG) $2.778
($3,714/MG)
Charge per thousand pounds of BOD
discharged to the sanitary sewer, plus $403 $344
Charge per thousand pounds of SS
discharged to the sanitary sewer, plus $442 $378
Charge per thousand pounds of NH3
discharged to the sanitary sewer. $3,289 $2,830
FLOW = Sewage discharge flow
BOD = Biochemical Oxygen Demand
SS = Suspended Solids
NH3 = Ammonia
MG = Million Gallons
MG = Million Gallons
1 ATTACHMENT B
STORM SEWER SERVICE CHARGE SCHEDULE OF UNCHANGED RATES, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026
RESIDENTIAL RATES*
CURRENT RATES
PROPOSED RATES
EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2026
%
CHANGE
Per Month Per Year Per Month Per Year
A. Single-Family Residential
and Duplex $7.87 $94.44 $7.87 $94.44 0.00%
B. Mobile Home (per unit) $3.94 $47.28 $3.94 $47.28 0.00% C. Residential Condominium
(per unit) $4.30 $51.60 $4.30 $51.60 0.00%
D. Large Multiple Family
Residential (5 or more
units)
$4.30 $51.60 $4.30 $51.60 0.00%
E. Small Multiple Family
Residential (3-4 Units) $14.95 $179.40 $14.95 $179.40 0.00% 2 *if connected to the system prior to July 1, 2026
INSTITUTIONAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL RATES*
CURRENT RATES
PROPOSED RATES
EFFECTIVE JULY 1,
2026
%
CHANGE
Per Month Per Year Per Month Per Year
A. Open Space
$13.86
plus $7.67
per acre
$166.32 plus
$92.04 per acre
$13.86
plus $7.67
per acre
$166.32
plus
$92.04 per
acre
0.00%
B. School
$13.86
plus $7.67
per acre
$166.32 plus
$92.04 per acre
$13.86
plus $7.67
per acre
$166.32
plus
$92.04 per
acre
0.00%
C. Church
$27.73
plus $7.67
per acre
$332.76 plus
$92.04 per acre
$27.73
plus $7.67
per acre
$332.76
plus
$92.04 per
acre
0.00%
D. College/University
$27.73
plus $7.67
per acre
$332.76 plus
$92.04 per acre
$27.73
plus $7.67
per acre
$332.76
plus
$92.04 per
acre
0.00%
E. Commercial, Light Industrial and
Miscellaneous Premises
$55.45
plus
$13.04 per
acre
$665.40 plus
$156.48 per
acre
$55.45
plus
$13.04 per
acre
$665.40
plus
$156.48
per acre
0.00%
F. Small Commercial, Light
Industrial and Miscellaneous
Premises
$27.73
plus $7.67
per acre
$332.76 plus
$92.04 per acre
$27.73
plus $7.67
per acre
$332.76
plus
$92.04 per
acre
0.00%
G. Heavy Industrial Premises
$69.32
plus
$13.04 per
acre
$831.84 plus
$156.48
$69.32
plus
$13.04 per
acre
$831.84
plus
$156.48
per acre
0.00%
H. Parking Facility
$55.45
plus
$13.81 per
acre
$665.40 plus
$165.72 per
acre
$55.45
plus
$13.81 per
acre
$665.40
plus
$165.72
per acre
0.00%
1 ATTACHMENT C
SEWER SERVICE AND USE CHARGES RATE COMPARISON FOR
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
City/Sanitary Agency
Current
Monthly Bill
Proposed
Increase
Proposed
Monthly Bill
Eff. July 2026
Milpitas $69.47 4% $72.25
Sunnyvale $72.71 7% $77.80
Cupertino Sanitary $67.48 5% $70.19
West Valley Sanitation $57.65 TBD TBD
Mountain View $57.75 TBD TBD
Palo Alto $67.11 16% $77.84
Santa Clara $57.56 12% $64.46
City of San José $50.42 0.49% $50.67
1 ATTACHMENT D
RESPONSE TO SSUC PROTESTS RECEIVED
Dear San José Property Owner:
This message is to acknowledge receipt of your written protest to the City of San José’s proposed Sanitary Sewer Service and Use Charge utility rate increase proposal. We understand that this proposed increase is an additional cost to you. Here is some additional information about the need for it.
As stated in the rate notice you received, revenue increases are required for the 2,000-mile sanitary sewer system and the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF) to continue to operate at full cost recovery. Specific costs associated with this service vary year-to- year, but include maintenance, operation, and capital improvement of infrastructure, compliance with environmental regulations, and investment in sustainable processes and technologies.
Additional drivers of increased costs include inflationary factors for chemicals and electricity necessary to the wastewater treatment process, as well as assuring compliance with stricter environmental regulations.
Rate adjustments are evaluated each year. Rates depend on a number of factors, such as contractual cost increases, equipment replacement needs, and modifications to processes and infrastructure to comply with new environmental regulations.
San José is making every effort to reduce the need for rate adjustments and to keep costs low by identifying opportunities for cost savings and thoughtfully sequencing capital improvement projects.
We value your rate proposal protest concern on this important matter impacting you and other San José residents. For more information, please find:
• Environmental Services Department’s Proposed Operating Budget, which will be available online on or about May 1
• Frequently Asked Questions, which may address more of your questions about the rate increase proposal
• Learn more about your Sanitary Sewer services at San José - Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF)
Should you wish to voice your concerns directly with San José City Council, a public hearing is scheduled at San José City Hall on Tuesday, June 2 at 1:30pm. Discussion on utility rates will occur as soon as the matter can be heard after the start of the meeting.
If you have additional specific questions that have not been addressed, please email [email protected] or call the City of San José Environmental Services Department at (408) 535-8550.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
City of San José