EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso residents may soon see an increase in their water bills, as El Paso Water has proposed a rate hike that could raise the typical homeowner’s bill by about $10.
The proposal, which follows a special meeting by the Public Service Board, includes a 12% increase affecting both water and wastewater bills.
The proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 totals $1.2 billion.
Residents have expressed concerns over the potential increase.
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One resident remarked, “I mean, I know the bills and the gas and everything is, is, is high. And they, they said it’s going to get higher.”
Another added, “It’s going to be a major pinch on everybody. I mean, things have been going up and up and up as it is.”
Gilbert Trejo, vice president of operation and technical services at El Paso Water, explained the rationale behind the proposal: “So the majority of our proposed projects and the reason for the rate increase this year is to make sure that we maintain our levels of service and the quality of our water services high for them.”
El Paso Water plans to host an open house on Dec. 2, followed by two additional community meetings to discuss the proposal.
The Public Service Board is set to vote on the proposal next January, and if approved, the rate increase would take effect in March 2026.
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