Relief from huge proposed rate hikes for San Diego water and sewer customers is looking less likely, after a consultant recommended no rate changes and after a City Council committee tentatively endorsed the increases Thursday. City officials are proposing 62% hikes to water rates and 31% hikes to sewer rates over four years to cover sharply rising costs for workers, imported water, chemicals, energy, construction projects and other priorities. The increases, which would incrementally kick in between January 2026 and January 2029, need final approval from the full council during a public hearing scheduled for Sept. 30. But the city’s independent budget analyst said Thursday that what is usually a key opportunity for a reprieve — a legally mandated second opinion from an outside consultant — won’t be providing relief this time around.