Lukins water rates may go up to pay for improvements

Lukins Brothers Water Company users are about to see higher bills as the company secures a $2 million loan to begin a multi-year improvement plan.

Lukins is the water provider for the Mikasa center at the Y in South Lake Tahoe and then for people living on the east side of Emerald Bay Road.

The company was unable to get grants and government money for the project. The interest rate on the loan is anticipated to be 6.5 percent for 20 years.

They money will be used to improve water flow in the event of a fire, install new pipes and valves, install fire hydrants, and other improvements.

Residential customer with a 1-inch connection can expect a surcharge of $21.69 per month for the first 10 years, with it dropping to $19.72 for the second decade. Those with a three-quarter-inch connection would pay an additional $13.01 per month for 10 years, then $11.83 for the remainder of the loan.

People wanting to protest Lukins’ ability to secure the loan and therefore stop the rate increases may email the California Public Utilities Commission at water_division@cpuc.ca.gov.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report