OCEANSIDE — The Water Utilities Master Plan unanimously approved by City Council on July 9 is prudent, but Mayor Jim Wood warned water rates are expected to increase in January due to anticipated statewide rate increases.

“Rate increases are coming down the road,” Wood said. “We don’t want to pass them on, but it’s coming.”

Wood cautioned residents to plan for likely increases, while the city follows its plan to deliver utilities.

The approved water master plan includes mapped out strategies to supply, move and clean water and wastewater, as well as manage sewer, implement water conservation, and determine a sound financial plan.

A brief overview of the four-phase plan and upcoming projects were shared by Oceanside Water Utilities Director Lonnie Thibodeaux.

Among the projects slated to be completed are sewer pipeline replacement, reservoir upgrades, expansion of the water treatment facility and intense public outreach to conserve water, Thibodeaux said.

The topics of infrastructure care and water conservation sparked discussion from City Council members and the public. Councilman Rocky Chavez stressed the importance of taking care of water and sewage infrastructure. “If we don’t take care of the infrastructure for this city we will not have the capacity to bring in people and jobs,” Chavez said.

The topic of water conservation brought many ideas to the table, including recycling water for irrigation, utilizing drip sprinklers and using “smart controllers” irrigation systems that turn off when landscape becomes saturated. “I feel if we irrigate correctly, it’s so minimum to have a little beauty in the city,” a speaker said.

Water conservation incentive programs, public education and conservation grants will be utilized to promote conservation as part of the Water Utilities Master Plan, Thibodeaux said.

Thibodeaux added that ample notification will be given before any water or sewage rate increases.