Conserve water, California Governor Jerry Brown ordered. And now here’s the reward for the sacrifice — higher water rates to make up for lower revenues due to the cutbacks!

Saved water because of the drought? You did so well that @LADWP lost money and will increase rates 4% @ladailynews https://t.co/CSTDpkhfuU

Let me get this straight. I have done all I can to save water and I'm being charged for that? WOW!!!! Talk about… https://t.co/akoAysqCkB

Can't make this up –> Because people are conserving, Los Angeles is going to raise water rates: https://t.co/hrbgPuWsYZ via @ladailynews

Weird. No word on cutback to salaries or costs at DWP.

Funny how @LADWP first pushing us to consume less water due to drought in California and then increasing the rates to cover lost revenue.

Actually, not so funny. But expected.

Wtf?! The tell us to save water, then when people do, they raise the rates?! I love California, but more and more… https://t.co/jB9QYVvsUA

From the Los Angeles Daily News:

Enjoying those lower water bills from 3-minute showers and your new drought-tolerant landscaping? Well, prepare to pay a little more to make up for your conservation.

Throughout California, consumers have conserved during this four-year drought and purchased less water from their utilities, leaving some water agencies operating in the red and drawing down reserves. Officials now say they need to pass some of the costs back to customers.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will hike rates to cover some of its lost revenue, its civilian board decided Tuesday. Most DWP customers will pay 4 percent more for water beginning in January. The average residential monthly bill will increase from $49.73 to $51.53, DWP officials said.

“The reality is that rate increases, surcharges and other pricing adjustments are part of the drought story this year,” Association of California Water Agencies spokeswoman Lisa Lien-Mager said.