Vista Sanitation & Buena Sanitation District Changes To Sewer Rates

The City of Vista hired an independent consultant in August 2007 to conduct a review of sewer rates on behalf of the City of Vista Sanitation and the Buena Sanitation District. The consultant worked closely with City staff and the Encina Wastewater Authority to determine system needs and projected costs. The consultant recommended adjustments to the sewer rates for both Vista Sanitation and the Buena Sanitation District. The rate adjustments will be implemented over 5 years starting in 2008 and will enable Vista and Buena to pay for increasing operational costs, much needed capital repairs and increases in costs passed along from the Encina Wastewater Authority. A combined $174 million in capital improvements are planned over the next 10 years for the Vista and Buena Sanitation systems. The adjustments will also allow Vista and Buena to maintain adequate reserves needed for unforeseen costs that may be incurred during the five-year period, as required by the Vista Municipal Code.

Why Are My Sewer Rates Being Increased?

As environmental regulations continue to become more strict and enforced more aggressively across the state, the sanitation systems have an obligation to upgrade existing sewer infrastructure to ensure that these regulations are being met and future fines are not incurred. Approximately $174 million in total capital improvements are planned over the next 10 years to properly address the maintenance, operations and replacement needs. This equates to $130 million for Vista Sanitation and $43 million for Buena Sanitation. The work anticipated for the sanitation systems will help ensure that the system is sound and that no service interruptions occur. This includes the costs from the Encina Wastewater Treatment Plant in Carlsbad that treats all of the sewage generated by Buena and Vista Sanitation.

What Sewer District Do I Live In?

To determine which sanitation district you live in, please refer to the online map of Vista and Buena Sanitation.

Additional Information

If you have questions regarding the changes to the sewer rates, please contact the City of Vista’s sewer billing division at (760) 639-6170.