Thousands of South Bay residents could see their water rates begin to increase at the start of 2024. The Sweetwater Authority, which supplies water to 200,000 people in parts of Chula Vista, National City and Bonita, will be voting on the hike next week. This would be the first time the Sweetwater Authority has raised their water rates in five years. If ultimately approved, this series of rate hikes would begin on January first. Several residents at Chula Vista's city council meeting Tuesday railed against the proposal. "The inflation is already bad enough," said one meeting attendee. "I know it sounds like pennies, but those pennies add up!" "It is so absurd," another resident named Mark said. "I am not going to curse, but if I did, it couldn't be loud enough!" Under this proposal, rates would increase by: .5 percent on January 1, 2024. 6 percent in 2025. 6.5 percent in 2026. "Our board has worked really hard to try to really reduce the impact to customers," said Rich Stevenson, finance director for the Sweetwater Authority. "They are concerned about all of our customers." Stevenson said rising construction and maintenance costs are a primary reason for these proposed hikes. FULL STORY: https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/sweetwater-authority-proposing-series-of-water-rate-hikes/509-788f89a0-f665-405b-83c8-fecae73fbe65