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East Bay Residents Now Face Higher Water Bills With Approved 25% Drought Surcharge

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) — East Bay residents will be seeing higher water bills as increased rates have been approved by the East Bay Municipal Utility District.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports the higher rates approved Tuesday will cause East Bay residents to see an average 24 percent increase in their water bills starting next month.

A typical household using 246 gallons of water per day will have to pay about $12 more per month.

The agency's governing board approved a temporary 25 percent drought surcharge on the metered portion of the bill to cover expected losses. They also planned additional increases to replace old infrastructure and pay down debts on water projects.

RELATED: How Much H20 Your Bay Area Water Agency Is Expected To Save

The agency has brought in less money recently due to customers cutting back their water use amid the state's drought.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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