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 [ LA WATCHDOG ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=12)

#  Our DWP Bill Is Too Damn High

November 10 2025

Written by Jack Humphreville.

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LA WATCHDOG - Our bimonthly bill from the Department of Water and Power contains four fees (water, power, trash, and sewer) will be an issue in the upcoming Mayoral election. And with good reason.

According to a [YouTube video](https://youtu.be/wtDTdoVMvVM) sponsored by Austin Beutner who recently announced his candidacy for Mayor of Los Angeles, one of the major factors underlying the City’s affordability crisis is the higher cost of City services: water, electricity, trash, and sewer. Under Mayor Bass, the annual cost of these services increased by an average of $1,223 according to Beutner. This does not include higher street lighting assessments.

In the case of water and electricity, most of these rate increases did not see the light of day. Rather, almost 80% of these hikes were accomplished by means of “adjustment factors” where higher costs are automatically passed through directly to Ratepayers with very little scrutiny or transparency.

What would be illuminating is a review, analysis, and public discussion of the progression of rates over the last five and ten years as well as increases planned for this year (17% for power and 9% for water) and the following five years.

We are about to experience significant increases in our trash collection fees for single family residences and small apartment buildings and our sewer service charges. Over the next four years, our trash fees are expected to increase by 80%, including over 50% within the next several months, and our sewer service charges which will double, averaging about 20% per year.

While these two items were the subject of public hearings, the level of disclosure was inadequate because there was no independent analysis of these two charges despite repeated requests. Rather, it was another rush job by the Mayor and the City Council.

We need a frank discussion about the adequacy, efficiency, and cost of City services between Mayor Karen Bass and mayoral candidate Austin Beutner, a former General Manager of DWP and most recently the Superintendent of LAUSD. Get the gloves out.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

There also needs to be an open and transparent discussion about why DWP’s Power System has a past due receivable of over $120 million from the City. Maybe the Department should turn off the delinquent City’s lights!

***(Jack Humphreville** writes the LA Watchdog column for CityWatch, where he covers city finances, utilities, and accountability at City Hall. He is President of the DWP Advocacy Committee, serves as the Budget and DWP representative for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, and is a longtime Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate. With a sharp focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency, Jack brings an informed and independent voice to Los Angeles civic affairs. He can be reached at **<lajack@gmail.com>**.)*

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