Water rates are on the rise in San Diego. The County Water Authority approved a nearly eight and a half percent increase in rates.
Homeowners and renters from across the city gathered to protest before Thursday's decision, saying they can't afford another increase, on top of other city rate hikes.
"I'm asking that the water rates don't go up since most San Diegans can't afford rate increases, especially the flood victims," said Greg Montoya, who lives in Southcrest, and was a flood victim during last year's storms.
Board members sent a statement to reporting partner 10 News saying they are facing a "difficult decision," and have to balance the need to provide water with the needs of an aging infrastructure and debt.
Increases had originally been forecast for 18 percent, but the committee whittled it down to eight point three percent.