Wholesale water rates in San Diego County — a key factor in how much local residents and businesses pay for water — will rise next year by less than half of what officials were predicting last winter: 8.3% instead of 18%. But the Jan. 1 increase, which the county water authority’s board of directors approved Thursday after months of debate and negotiation, is still a substantial hike that brings the cumulative two-year increase to 23.1%. Board members said they were frustrated that they have to ask residents and businesses to pay so much more for water at a time when everyone is already facing higher costs for groceries and many other things. “Am I happy about it? No,” board Chair Nick Serrano told his colleagues Thursday. “But it reflects a meaningful downward trend and it shows that this authority is listening and is turning the ship.”

Related articles:

• Times of San Diego: Water rate increase of 8.3% approved by Water Authority board
• ABC10 (San Diego): San Diego residents protest water rate hikes as county votes on new pricing