San Diego Eyes Raising Sewer Rate For Single-Family Homes

METRO SAN DIEGO — City officials are looking at a proposal that, if passed, would raise the sewer rates for single-family homes in San Diego by about 28 percent over four years.

An analysis conducted by the city found that single-family homes are not paying enough to help cover the costs of maintaining and expanding San Diego's sewers system, according to a report by David Garrick for The San Diego Union-Tribune. Although the proposal would see a rate hike for homeowners, the paper reports, rates would actually go down and remain relatively the same for most businesses, apartments and condominiums.

The last time the city looked at the current payment schedule for sewer rates was 14 years ago, according to the Union-Tribune.

Shauna Lorance, director of San Diego's Public Utilities Department, told the paper the rate increases are not only vital to replacing the city's aging pipes and sewer mains but it could also mean avoiding the billion dollars it would cost to upgrade the Point Loma sewer plant.

“The proposed rate increases come at a critical time for the city, with Pure Water’s promise on the horizon and the need to fix our aging pipes and mains so we can continue to provide reliable wastewater collection and treatment,” Lorance said.

Owl Soars Again

The San Diego Humane Society released a barn owl back into the wild after it was found injured in Coronado earlier this year. NBC San Diego reports that city employees found the bird on Jan. 25 struggling to fly during a particularly cold and rainy day.

When the owl was brought to the society, it needed help feeding itself. After two months in an aviary, the owl regained its strength and was able to fly again, according to the station. It flew off to parts unknown after the humane society released the bird in Spreckles Park.

Metro San Diego Headlines

• Ash Street Lawsuit Scheduled: A San Diego resident alleges that a lease-to-own contract signed by San Diego officials for the former Sempra Energy building at 101 Ash St. is illegal and that the payment for it should be refunded back to the taxpayers.
• San Diego Unified Poised To Reopen: San Diego schools are still working out the details on how many days a campus can offer in-person instruction.
• County Looks Toward Orange Tier: As the positive COVID-19 case rate continues to decline in San Diego County, officials are trying to determine what the area might look like when it's able to move into the orange tier for reopening.
• UCSD Donation Provides Window Into Past: A University of California, San Diego graduate donated a 300-piece collection of photos, posters and other pieces that provides a look into what Black life was like in the Old West during the 1800s and 1900s.

"Going through the process to try and find a vaccine appointment for my parents, I was like maybe I should start something, get a group together to help people in San Diego find appointments."

— Gavin Tong, a local tech worker, about starting a group of volunteers called the San Diego Vaccine Angels, who help people find COVID-19 vaccination appointments

SPORTS TALK: Yu Darvish will be the starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres when the team takes the field at Petco Park on April 1 for its home opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Padres Manager Jayce Tingler made the announcement Thursday as the team wrapped up up its spring training in Arizona, according to the Union-Tribune.

WEATHER IN A WORD: Chilly.

LET'S MAKE PLANS: The San Diego Zoo will hold its first event of the year Saturday after the county's move into the red tier. Called Mission: Spring Adventure, the event will feature live music, roaming entertainers and lessons about animal conservation. The activities are free with paid admission to the zoo and will be held through April 11.

• SeaWorld San Diego will hold its Seven Seas Food Festival on May 2 and will feature food items from around the world. The event requires advanced registration.
• The Birch Aquarium at Scripps will hold a virtual benefit concert from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets cost $30 and proceeds will directly benefit the aquarium.

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