The utility’s governing board will vote on a budget at its June 5 meeting that calls for an increase in water and sewer rates to meet rising operational costs.  If approved, the rate increase would be the Water Authority’s first since July of 2022.

The proposal calls for a 12 percent adjustment in base and commodity rates.  The combined water and sewer bill for a typical single-family residential customer using six units (about 5,000 gallons) of water would go up by about $6.03 per month, from $50.70 to $56.73.

“Affordability is a priority for us, so we never take rate increases lightly,” said board Chair Eric C. Olivas. “The reality we face, however, is that operational costs have risen significantly. Fuel, power and chemicals are more expensive, and construction costs are running as much as 70 percent higher than anticipated in some cases.”

Olivas pointed out that even with the proposed rate increase, Water Authority customers would still have some of the most affordable water and sewer service in the region.

“Customers would continue to pay less than those in Tucson, Denver, Austin and Colorado Springs—and significantly less than those in Rio Rancho and Santa Fe,” he said.

If approved, the FY2025 budget will go into effect on July 1, and customers would see the new water and sewer rates reflected in August bills.