Central Texas residents face uncertainty as Aqua Texas seeks water rate hikes to recoup investments, potentially causing bills to rise.

AUSTIN, Texas — Changes could be coming for some Aqua Texas customers in Central Texas, meaning higher costs could be coming depending on where you live. 

Lara Ramey in Manor will be seeing her bill go up in the next billing cycle. She said she was already paying more than she did when she lived in Austin three years ago.

“The first thing I noticed when I got my water bill was that it was over double what I was paying for the same amount of bathrooms and kitchen,” Ramey said. 

Ramey is the typical Texan.

“We shower, we cook, we, we eat, we wash our hands,” she said. 

Ever since becoming an Aqua Texas customer, which serves customers in several counties in Central Texas, she said she’s had to deal with frequent rate hikes, with each one being more contentious than the last.

“Our water bill right now is about $140 a month. I’m not really sure what it’s gonna be when it increases,” Ramey said. “When it increased last time, it increased about $30 to $40 a month.”

And now, Aqua Texas will have a new rate go into effect on March 9. That rate will be applied to every customer’s bill.

It all started in June 2025, when the major water provider filed for a rate change with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Ramey and neighbors pushed back over the months, but an administrative judge granted the change and approved the rate last December.

However, the PUC has the power to overrule that decision, which it did on Feb 20. 

Because of the PUC’s decision, the new rate is now considered to be an “interim” rate. That could mean a refund for Ramey, but it will only happen if the final approved rate is lower than the rate Aqua Texas has proposed. 

“It’s confusing, and it’s frustrating,” Ramey said. 

Aqua Texas said it wants to make back about $700 million in investments from over the course of 20 years. The water company said the new rates would bring in an estimated $29 million between water and wastewater revenues. 

KVUE has reached out to Aqua Texas since Feb 20. Requests for an interview have been declined, and no answers were provided for follow-up questions. A spokesperson said no comment would be provided until a PUC order making the Feb. 20 decision “official” comes down. 

For now, Ramey will ride this wave of water rate hikes while the fight continues.

“Yeah, you go on as is,” Ramey said. “We need water, and they’re our only choice.”

The proposed rates will go back to the Office of Administrative Hearings on April 20 and April 21.Â