\u201cWater is a precious, valuable and diminishing natural resource,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cIt is something that we literally cannot live without. However, water is becoming increasingly expensive, not only here in Richardson, but across Texas, across the United States and all across the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
What you need to know<\/p>\n
The city currently charges an $8 monthly base charge as well as a volume rate that is calculated per 1,000 gallons of water used. Most utilities implement a higher monthly base charge for larger meters\u2014the standard residential meter is a three-quarter inch, while a large manufacturing facility could have 8- or 10-inch meters.<\/p>\n
Jackson proposed that Richardson not only increase its volume rate, but also implement higher charges for larger meters, which he called \u201cmeter equivalency.\u201d This means water bills will increase the most for the highest water users, pushing more costs on commercial customers with lower increases for residential users who typically have smaller meters.<\/p>\n
Jackson said the city could gradually phase in higher base charges over the next five years. The average residential user would see about an 8% increase in their monthly water bill each year, growing from $121.35 now to $152.91 in fiscal year 2028-29. The average commercial user would see a 10%-12% increase in their water bill each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf [businesses] have a larger meter, then it takes more money to deliver the water into the business,\u201d council member Arefin Shamsul said. \u201cThat model change is way overdue.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The setup<\/p>\n
The majority of Richardson\u2019s water customers are residential accounts, but residential use only makes up about a third of the city\u2019s water consumption. A smaller amount of commercial and special manufacturing accounts, which are likely to have larger meters, use the majority of Richardson\u2019s water.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Richardson] charges the same $8 to every customer, whether they\u2019re Walmart or a small family or a flower shop,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cThat\u2019s not how most utilities do it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Richardson\u2019s $8 monthly base charge is also the lowest in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with most cities charging between $20 and $30 a month.<\/p>\n
The background<\/p>\n
Richardson last adjusted its water and wastewater rates in November, but Jackson said the city\u2019s standard rate increases will no longer be sufficient to cover costs.<\/p>\n