A $540 City of Austin utility bill startled one Austin resident and prompted a familiar question: What is a typical charge for water service in the city?
Austin utility rates increased in November 2025 after the City Council approved higher rates and fees as part of the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. For residential customers receiving all city utility services, the city estimated an average increase of about $9.54 per month.
Austin Water reported that the average monthly charge for water service alone at a typical single-family home was about $52.78 in fiscal year 2025.
The city also said a typical residential customer uses about 5,800 gallons of water and 4,000 gallons of wastewater each month. Under the current rate structure, the combined water and wastewater portion of that customer’s bill would be roughly $90 to $100 before electric, trash and other city utility charges are added.
Actual bills can vary widely depending on household consumption, irrigation, leaks, billing adjustments and the mix of services included on a utility account.
A City of Austin utility bill also may include charges for electricity, trash and other services, depending on the customer’s account.
In an Aug. 2 Reddit post, an Austin user shared an image showing a $540 utility bill and asked whether the amount was normal.
The post does not show how much of the total came from water and wastewater service, whether the account included electricity or other city services, how much water the household used or whether the bill reflected a leak, billing adjustment or past-due balance. As a result, the Statesman could not determine how much of the $540 total was attributable to water service.
The Statesman contacted the city for information about the factors that can affect a customer’s total utility bill but did not receive a response.
Water use often rises during hotter months as households irrigate lawns, maintain pools, water gardens and wash vehicles. Outdoor use can significantly increase a customer’s total consumption.
Customers who believe their utility bill is incorrect may request an informal administrative review.
According to City of Austin Utilities, customers can begin the process by calling Utility Customer Service at 512-494-9400 or visiting a local service center within 90 days of the bill.
If the dispute is not resolved through the informal review, the customer may submit a written request for an administrative hearing within 30 days of the review.