Beginning Feb. 1, Windsor\u2019s water, sewer and stormwater rates will increase to $126 for the average family home to cover the cost of upgrades to the town\u2019s water system.<\/p>\n
This 26% rate increase is the sharpest the town has implemented in 10 years, with the 2025 rate only 11% higher than the previous year. Windsor staff say this increase is driven by two primary factors: the Windsor Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrade and the 15th Street water line replacement.<\/p>\n
The current wastewater treatment facility is more than 30 years old and nearing the end of its service life, according to a town news release. To remain compliant with federal water standards, the town will need to decommission the current facility and build a new 4.2 million-gallons-per-day facility, which is estimated to cost $150 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese projects are investments we must make now so that our system continues to serve the community well into the future,\u201d Town Manager Shane Hale said in the release. \u201cNo one welcomes higher bills, and we do not take this decision lightly. At the same time, we have a responsibility to keep Windsor\u2019s water and wastewater systems safe, reliable and in compliance with state and federal standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 15th Street water line replacement is also a priority for Windsor, given the pipes\u2019 age and its role as a critical service line for a significant portion of the water system. This project became urgent when the existing water line continued to experience line breaks and leaks. Town staff estimates the project will cost $6.5 million.<\/p>\n
The rate increase and the projects are funded through the town\u2019s enterprise funds and are not funded by resident taxes, Hale added. An enterprise fund works like a business within the town where customers pay for the services they use, and those payments can only be used to run, maintain and improve the utility system.<\/p>\n
Under the Taxpayers\u2019 Bill of Rights, enterprises must be funded through the rates paid by the customers who use them, not through general tax dollars. Due to these legal requirements, the new wastewater facility and the 15th Street water line replacement must be funded primarily through utility rates.<\/p>\n
However, the town will provide tools for residents to help lower their monthly bills. The town will provide free water audits to identify leaks and other issues, and will also share water-saving tips to reduce water use.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognize that a 26% increase is significant, especially for residents on fixed or limited incomes,\u201d Hale said in the release. \u201cIf you\u2019re worried about how these changes might affect you, please reach out. We want residents to understand why the rates are changing and what we\u2019re doing to support them. Our goal is to keep Windsor\u2019s water system strong, reliable and ready for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n