Higher wastewater and water costs will soon begin appearing on Corpus Christi residents’ bills.
Originally approved by the City Council in September as part of the annual budget process, the new rates for both services take effect Jan. 1.
Average residents using 6,000 gallons of water per month can expect to see an increase of about $4.78 for service, from about $37.29 to $42.07.
City officials have said the cost bump is driven, in part, by improvements to the Mary Rhodes Pipeline — infrastructure that enables the delivery of water from the Colorado River and Lake Texana to the city — and a contract for additional water supply via Formosa Plastics.
Other factors cited by staff include lower water consumption and inflation.
Water rate increases will impact not only residents, but commercial businesses and industrial companies as well.
Typical residents using about 5,000 gallons per month in a winter-quarter average can expect to see an increase of about $4.20 to their wastewater bills, from about $59.32 to $63.52.
City of officials have attributed the rise in wastewater rates, in part, to factors that are also leading to higher water rates, representing a combination of lower water consumption, debt payments and inflation pressures.
The Project One Water Utility Assistance program offers financial assistance for families in need, according to a city news release issued earlier this month.
Details on criteria to qualify are available on the Corpus Christi Water website.
Residents may also call 311 or the utility billing office for additional information.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi water, wastewater rates will increase in 2026