2025 Sewer Rate Study

Proposed Sewer Rate Increase

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In 2024, the Salinas City Council commissioned a sewer rate study to evaluate sanitary sewer rates and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the City’s wastewater system. The City owns and operates a municipal sanitary sewer system serving approximately 12,430 acres, including more than 280 miles of gravity and force mains and 11 lift stations that convey wastewater to the Monterey One Water Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The rate study evaluated projected operating and maintenance costs, capital improvement needs, debt obligations, regulatory compliance requirements, customer demand, and future growth. Because the wastewater program operates as a self-supporting enterprise fund, sewer service charges must generate sufficient revenue to cover operations, maintenance, administration, debt service, capital improvements, and prudent reserve requirements.

The adopted sewer rate schedule includes an initial increase that began on October 1, 2025, followed by annual adjustments through FY 2029-30. Detailed current and upcoming residential sewer rates are provided in the table below. For additional information on all rate adjustments by land use classification, which vary based on flow and strength, refer to the adopted City of Salinas Sanitary Sewer Rate Schedule.(PDF, 622KB)

Sanitary Sewer (City Sewer System Charge) Rate Adjustment Notice

Reminder: As approved by the City Council, sanitary sewer rates are subject to annual adjustments over a five-year period from Fiscal Years 2025–26 through 2029–30. The next scheduled rate increase will take effect on June 30, 2026.

Council Actions and Background Documents

January 10, 2012

City Council accepted the sewer rate study and approved Proposition 218 to increase sewer rates to $5.45.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t6pSjowXfk

May 2, 2023

City Council adopted the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Update.

Meeting Documents:

Watch the meeting video from May 2, 2023.

September 24, 2024

City Council approved an update to the Sanitary Sewer Development Impact Fees.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaTQcXqK88Y

March 4, 2025

Finance Committee received the sewer rate study findings and recommended completion of the study using scenario one.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8hgz77O9RI

March 11, 2025

City Council received the sewer rate study findings and approved the completion of the study using scenario one.

Meeting Documents:

Sewer Rate Study Finding Presentation Slides(PDF, 2MB)

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY2ZEV2Iz88

April 8, 2025

Finance Committee recommended approval of the Sanitary Sewer Rate Study and Rate Schedule for presentation to City Council.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WOz1njpGzA

April 22, 2025

Request approval of the Rate Study and Rate Schedule; Request authorization to Proceed with Proposition 218 Process; Set Public Hearing Date for June 17, 2025 and Protest Process (45-day Notice)

Meeting Docs:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KILFu38_PI0

June 17, 2025

Staff informed the City Council of inaccuracies in the Rate Schedule.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR_QLG7JlHA

July 1, 2025

Directed staff to distribute Proposition 218 Public Hearing Notices for proposed sewer rate increases based on the updated Sewer Rate Study and Sewer Rate Schedule with public hearing date set for September 23, 2025.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbbu1ARkkRM

September 23, 2025

Request adoption of the Sanitary Sewer Rates for 2025-2030 based on the Sewer Rate Schedule. As well as the approval and establishment of the Salinas Residential Sewer Payment Assistance Program.

Meeting Documents:

Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzDjXzbhC7Y

For additional information regarding the proposed sewer rate increase, please contact:

City of Salinas Public Works Department, Engineering Division

200 Lincoln Ave, City Hall, Second Floor, Salinas, CA 93905

pubworks@ci.salinas.ca.us or (831) 758-7381

Sewer Rate Study 2025

The City of Salinas has performed a 2025 Sanitary Sewer Rate Study for existing and potential future sewer utility user rates within the City based on future CIP needs and conclusions of the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Master Plan Update. City sewer rates and fees were last approved for adjustments in 2012 through proposition 218 protest vote process. This Spring 2025, the Public Works Department is bringing forth a new 2025 Sanitary Sewer Rate Study for Consideration.