Santa Maria residents could soon be joining other Central Coast communities paying higher water and sewer rates. Officials say the proposed increases will take place over the next four years and will affect residential and commercial ratepayers. City officials say the proposed increase is necessary to cover the rising cost of operating the utilities. According to KSBY, San Luis Obispo raised its water and sewer rates in June. Grover Beach and Pismo Beach officials are exploring a similar rate increase.
