More than $30 million in work on the city’s water system components will occur over the next five years with the proposed water rate hike targeted to take effect by June.
It includes replacement and repairs of aging lines in the city’s water distribution system plus rehabilitation of a well among other work.
“We tend to take things for granted until they don’t work,” noted Manteca Councilman Mike Morowit.
He noted the projects will not only make sure water flows when residents turn on the water but that municipal water pressure will be maintained to make sure fire protection isn’t compromised.
Almost all of the work will take place on older sections of pipeline, some of which is in excess of 90 years old.
Morowit said it is less costly and less disruptive to do the needed work before pipelines fail.
Manteca residents currently have the lowest water rates among all South County cities as well as Stockton and Modesto.
That won’t be the case after May if a proposed rate hike for water passing the Proposition 218 passes the vetting process.
Based on basic service charge and a household with average water consumption of 16 hundred cubic feet of water a month, Manteca now has the rock bottom cost of $33.63.
If and when the proposed water rate is fully implemented after five years, the average household cost in Manteca reflecting typical water use would be $60.75.
That would then be higher than Lodi at $41.39, Tracy at $42.50, Ripon at $52.58, Sacramento at $59.06, and Modesto at $60.19.
It should be noted that assumes none of the mentioned jurisdictions between now and July 1, 2028 institute annual rate hikes.
Manteca at full implementation of the proposed water rate hike would still be lower than the current charges for Stockton at $81.06, Lathrop at $84.31, Fairfield at $85.24, Brentwood at $92.30, Pleasanton at $109.08, Contra Costa at $123.20, and East Bay Municipal Utility District at $126.81.
Manteca’s water enterprise account currently collects $13 million a year from ratepayers.
That is against basic operating expenses of $19 million a year.
The cash balance on July 1 was $6.4 million.
Water rates have not been raised for 15 years.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
