The difference between “water rates” and “water bills” may be leading some Hemet customers to think they are paying too much, a city official said.

“They have to remember they have water, sewer and storm drain (charges) on their bill,” Public Works Director Kris Jensen said following a report to the City Council about water rates Tuesday, Sept. 12. “That is the case in all districts.”

The clarification comes as Hemet resident Pat Gregory turned in a petition with some 400 signatures seeking an audit of the water department’s books.

“One of the problems Hemet citizens have is that they thought you were talking about their water bills, not their water rates,” Gregory said. “They didn’t understand the numbers were simply water.”

Hemet raised its water rates in 2015, phasing in an increase over five years. Customers pay a flat fee based on the size of their meter as well as a consumption fee on how much water is used.

Rates increased 19 percent Oct. 1, 2015, another 19 percent in March 2016, and 4 percent on Jan. 1, 2017. Three-percent hikes will be added each January until 2020.

At the same time, the billing cycle was changed to monthly. Previously payments were due every other month.

“They have to look at the components of the total amount,” said Mayor Linda Krupa. “People have talked about their bill being double (what it was in the past); if that does happen, they have to get a hold of us.”

The city of Hemet water department has about 9,700 connections in a 5.25-square-mile service area, extending generally from Menlo Avenue south to Stetson Avenue, and from Sanderson Avenue east to San Jacinto Street. That area is home to 38 percent of the city’s residents, Jensen said.

Other Hemet residents are served by the Eastern or Lake Hemet municipal water districts, although there is some crossover for sewer services.

Comparing rates among the three is difficult, Jensen said.

“All three of us have different rate structures,” Jensen said. “We all have different circumstances, different situations.”

Rates were raised for the first time in eight years in part to cover the costs of improving an aging infrastructure. Some underground pipes date back to the 1960s and some of the Hemet’s 10 wells are older than that.

“We do have a very aged system,” Jensen said.

The age of a system plays a part in costs, especially when it comes to maintenance, she said.

Gregory had questions about customer deposits — which she said are not returned until service is discontinued — and rental rates.

There was no clear answer about deposits, but Krupa said she will look into it. Other utilities will return deposits to customers after an account is established.

Gregory also questioned the amount of money the water department pays the city in “rent.”

As Hemet’s lone enterprise department — one which raises its own funds — the water department reimburses the city for space and certain services.

“Since they are based in city buildings, they basically rent the space,” Krupa said. “Everybody pays their fair share.”

Gregory wants to ensure the charges are fair.

“We want to make sure money to the water department goes to water,” she said.

HEMET WATER RATES

Current

Basic monthly charge: $26.25

Consumption rates: $6.45 per 748 gallons

January 2018.

Basic monthly charge: $27.55

Consumption rates: $6.60 per 748 gallons

There will be 3 percent increases in January 2019 and 2020

Sewer rates

Current: $7.50 monthly

January 2018: $8 monthly