Nipomo, CA -- The cost of turning on a faucet or flushing a toilet is going up in Nipomo. Despite numerous protests from area residents, the Nipomo Community Services District board members voted last night to unanimously approve a 57.4 percent increase that would be spread over the next five years. District officials have said the increase is necessary to cover ongoing operations and maintenance costs of the water system and to stop spending reserve funds. They say the average single-family residential customer uses 40 units of water, or 29,920 gallons, every two months. That customer’s bill would increase 9.9 percent to $99.01 from $90.12. The rate increase will take effect November 1st.