The worsening drought is spurring the East Bay’s largest water supplier to consider slapping a 25 percent surcharge on customers’ bills — on top of an 8 percent general rate increase.
The East Bay Municipal Utility District proposed the 8 percent permanent increase Tuesday largely to cover the cost of accelerating replacement of aging pipes. The district needs that increase, drought or no drought, officials said.
A larger temporary increase of up to 25 percent, officials said, is needed to cover drought costs — including some $55 million to deliver an emergency supply from the Sacramento River.