By Tonya Strickland -- As Paso Robles pushes through the controversy of raising its water rates to fund the Nacimiento Water Project, it remains the last partner of the project to secure funding for it.The city faces severe hits to its reserves if it can’t increase customers’ water rates to pay for its share.The county fronted $176.1 million for work on the 45-mile pipeline through bonds sold in 2007. And now those who signed up for the water — Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero Mutual Water Co., Templeton Community Service Services District and a county water treatment plant that serves Cayucos — will have to start paying it back when the bills come due in mid-2010.

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