Increase in Utility Bills – Water and Natural Gas

Posted on: January 4th, 2023

Effective January 1st of this year the San Dieguito Water District (SDWD) will be increasing water rates for both residential and commercial users by 6%.  Nearly all homeowners in Encinitas Ranch have their water provided by the SDWD. Below is their rate schedule.

Also, effective January 1, 2023, a typical residential customer can expect an increase of ~$120 on their monthly natural gas bill relative to last January.

 

Residential natural gas usage is typically the highest in January when the weather in our region has historically been the coldest. Actual electric and gas customer bills will vary based on a number of factors, including usage and pricing plan, weather and natural gas market conditions. Natural gas rates are updated monthly on customers’ bills, whereas major changes to electric rates typically occur once or twice a year. If prices for natural gas go down, customers see that adjusted monthly on their bill. SDG&E does not mark up the market cost for gas and does not make a profit from rising gas.

We encourage all homeowners to minimize their water and natural gas usage.

Below are some great water conservation actions you can take:

  • Limit landscape watering to three or less assigned days per week:
  • Odd-numbered addresses: water on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Even-numbered addresses: water on Saturdays, Monday and Wednesdays
  • Limit effects of evaporation by watering before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
  • Limit landscape irrigation with sprinklers to 10 minutes or less per water station, per assigned day
  • Turn off water during rain and for 48 hours after
  • Cut down on water waste from inefficient watering such as runoff or overspray
  • Reduce water for landscapes and car washes by using a container such as a bucket or watering can, and a hand-held hose with positive shut-off nozzle or low-volume, non-spray irrigation
  • Do not use potable water to irrigate non-functional turf (not regularly used for human recreational purposes, community events or sports) at commercial, industrial and institutional sites

Below are some general common sense water conservation actions you should strongly consider:

  • Do not wash down paved or hard surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways and parking lots with potable water, except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitation hazards
  • Repair all water leaks within 72 hours of detection or notification
  • Stop operation of decorative fountains unless re-circulated or recycled water is used
  • Serve and refill water in restaurants and food service establishments only upon request
  • Offer guests in lodging establishments the option of not laundering towels and linens daily
  • Use recycled or non-potable water for construction purposes when feasible

Please visit watersmartsd.org for water-saving rebates or incentives for your home or business.

For complimentary, site-specific water-saving recommendations from a certified irrigation professional, please visit or email your water district below.

Since the challenging drought of the early 1990s, the San Diego region has made investments in conservation programs and a diverse portfolio of drought-resilient water supplies. As a result, the region has conserved substantial amounts of water and has sufficient water supplies for 2022 and the foreseeable future.