GSD Proposes Water and Sewer Rate Overhaul to Fund Aging Infrastructure and Balance Utility Budgets

Garberville Sanitary District is proposing sweeping changes to how water and sewer rates are calculated and billed, with a five-year plan aimed at aligning revenue with infrastructure needs and state regulations. The proposed structure would shift the way sewer charges are assessed, lower water rates in the near term, and create steeper increases for commercial and higher-use customers.

A public hearing on the proposed changes will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the GSD office, 919 Redwood Drive in Garberville. Property owners and tenants responsible for utility bills may submit written protests before or during the hearing in accordance with Proposition 218.

According to rate tables and examples provided by GSD, residential ratepayers can expect initial decreases in their combined water and sewer bills, with gradual increases over the five-year period. For instance:

A residential customer using 4 hcf (hundred cubic feet) of water per month would see their total monthly bill drop from $156.00 to $144.00 in Year 1, then rise to $176.00 by Year 5.

A customer using 12 hcf/month would see their bill fall from $212.00 to $194.00 in Year 1, then increase to $236.00 by Year 5.

A customer using 20 hcf/month would see their bill increase slightly from $276.00 to $292.00 in Year 1, then rise to $353.60 by Year 5.

Estimated residential customer rates comparison, current, year 1, year 5, for low, average, and high-volume water users based on calculations provided by GSD.

Under the current structure, sewer charges are based on total monthly water usage—even if that water is used outdoors and never enters the sewer system. This has raised concerns about fairness, particularly for summer water use tied to landscaping or gardening. Because sewer lines are not metered, the proposed change would shift residential sewer billing to a fixed “Equivalent Residential Unit” (ERU) based on historical winter water use—when outdoor irrigation is minimal. Sewer usage charges would only apply to Tier 1 water (first 4 hcf), regardless of actual monthly usage.

In a phone interview, GSD consultant Jennie Short said one of the primary goals of the proposed rate change is to ensure that sewer operations are properly funded. Though GSD manages both water and sewer services, she explained, their revenue and expenses must remain independent. With sewer costs and needs rising, the plan calls for higher sewer rates while slightly reducing water rates to help offset the impact for residential customers.

Estimated GSD revenue for the water and sewer services based on projections provided by the GSD.

For most residential customers, the combined bill in Year 1 will be lower than current charges. However, by Year 5, bills will exceed current levels for nearly all customers. Commercial customers are expected to see the largest increases under the proposal. Meanwhile, customers without sewer service—who currently pay only for water—will see the most significant reductions.

GSD’s rate tables estimate a drop in water revenue in Year 1 of about $22,300 compared to current levels, offset by a projected $33,000 increase in sewer revenue during the same period. By Year 5, combined revenues from both utilities are expected to rise by more than $200,000 compared to current levels.

District officials say the new revenue is necessary to replace aging infrastructure, including leaking water tanks and deteriorating sewer lift stations, and to remain compliant with evolving state regulations.

More details—including rate tables and parcel-specific projections—are available at 2025+Rate+Study+Main+Report_APRIL+DRAFT+TO+BOARD+2025+0420.pdf. The full notice for the Proposed Water and Sewer Rate Adjustments and Changes to the District’s Water and Sewer Rate Calculation Methodology can be found on page 42 of the May 20th board agenda packet found here: BOD+Meeting+Agenda+May+20th,+2025.pdf

Below are the rate and revenue calculations provided to Redheaded Blackbelt by GSD consultant, Jennie Short: