Carlsbad’s residential water and sewer rates will increase 20% on July 1 and a total of 49% over the next three years under a plan approved Tuesday by the City Council. Several residents opposed the rate hikes, but city staffers said they are needed to pass along a 14% increase in the price of water purchased from the San Diego County Water Authority and to cover inflation and the rising costs of maintenance and capital improvements. … The City Council approved the new rate structure on a 4-1 vote with Councilmember Melanie Burkholder opposed. Burkholder said the higher bills would be bad for business, and that the city should “do more with less” and consider deferred maintenance. 

Other water rate news:

• Voice of San Diego: Politics report: Water authority faces existential crisis