Responsible Rate Increases for
Water and Wastewater
The City of Fresno is proposing updates to water and wastewater service rates over the next five years. These proposed five-year rate adjustments are intended to help the City continue providing reliable and resilient water and wastewater services while responsibly maintaining the systems that protect public health and the environment.
Public Hearing Information
The Fresno City Council will consider the proposed rate adjustments at a public hearing on December 29, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. Property owners and customers of record may participate in the public hearing and provide public feedback regarding the proposed water and wastewater rate updates.
Location: Fresno City Hall,
Council Chamber, 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721
Why Rate Updates are Needed Now
Customer rates directly fund the cost of providing reliable water and wastewater services. The City is prohibited from making a profit from utility rates, and rates cannot exceed the cost of providing service. Much like other utilities across California, the cost of providing these services continues to increase. After evaluating future revenue requirements and infrastructure needs, the City determined that current rates need to be updated to:
Cover increasing operating and maintenance costs
Fund necessary capital improvements to water and wastewater system
Maintain reliable service
Address infrastructure renewal and replacement needs
Prop 218 Notices and Bill Impacts
In compliance with Proposition 218, a notice was mailed to all property owners and customers of record in our service area. See the detailed rate table with the changes to each customer class below.
More About Increasing Rates
What the Rate Updates Mean for Customers
Starting January 1, 2027, the average single-family residential customer would see the following impacts to their total monthly utility bill:
- Approximately $1.77 increase for water service with a 1.0-inch water meter
- Approximately $0.95 decrease for wastewater customers
How Rates are Calculated
Water and wastewater rates are based on comprehensive cost-of-service studies that identify the costs required to provide utility services and distribute those costs proportionately among customer classes.
The supporting analyses are available in the:
- Water Utility Financial Plan and Rates Study
- Wastewater Utility Financial Plan and Rates Study
There are no proposed changes to the water rate structure. Water service will continue to include a fixed monthly meter charge and a uniform volumetric water usage charge. The wastewater rate study determined that rates must be adjusted to more accurately align costs with the level of service received by different customer classes in compliance with Proposition 218 and applicable state law. As a result, impacts vary by customer class.
Summary of Rate Adjustments
PROPOSED FIVE-YEAR SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR WATER SERVICE
| Item | FY27 | FY28 | FY29 | FY30 | FY31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Quantity Charges, $/HCF | |||||
| Potable Water Meters | $1.85 | $1.96 | $2.06 | $2.16 | $2.26 |
| Private Wells | $0.33 | $0.34 | $0.35 | $0.36 | $0.37 |
| Meter Charges, $/month – Domestic | |||||
| ¾-inch | $13.60 | $14.25 | $14.95 | $15.65 | $16.35 |
| 1.0-inch | $17.80 | $18.65 | $19.50 | $20.40 | $21.35 |
| 1.5-inch | $28.90 | $30.30 | $31.70 | $33.20 | $34.75 |
| 2.0-inch | $34.45 | $36.10 | $37.80 | $39.60 | $41.40 |
| 3.0-inch | $55.30 | $57.95 | $60.65 | $63.50 | $66.50 |
| 4.0-inch | $104.00 | $109.00 | $115.00 | $120.00 | $125.00 |
| 6.0-inch | $174.00 | $182.00 | $191.00 | $200.00 | $209.00 |
| 8.0-inch | $680.00 | $710.00 | $740.00 | $780.00 | $810.00 |
| 10.0-inch | $1,540.00 | $1,610.00 | $1,690.00 | $1,770.00 | $1,850.00 |
| Meter Charges, $/month – Irrigation | |||||
| ¾-inch | $10.85 | $11.40 | $11.90 | $12.45 | $13.05 |
| 1.0-inch | $13.35 | $14.00 | $14.65 | $15.35 | $16.05 |
| 1.5-inch | $20.10 | $21.05 | $22.00 | $23.05 | $24.10 |
| 2.0-inch | $23.45 | $24.55 | $25.70 | $26.90 | $28.15 |
| 3.0-inch | $36.00 | $37.70 | $39.45 | $41.35 | $43.25 |
| 4.0-inch | $65.30 | $68.40 | $71.65 | $75.00 | $78.50 |
| 6.0-inch | $108.00 | $113.00 | $118.00 | $124.00 | $129.00 |
| 8.0-inch | $410.00 | $430.00 | $450.00 | $470.00 | $500.00 |
| 10.0-inch | $930.00 | $980.00 | $1,020.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,120.00 |
| Private Fire Protection Charges, $/month | |||||
| 1.0-inch | $8.25 | $8.65 | $9.10 | $9.55 | $10.00 |
| 1.5-inch | $8.25 | $8.65 | $9.10 | $9.55 | $10.00 |
| 2.0-inch | $8.25 | $8.65 | $9.10 | $9.55 | $10.00 |
| 3.0-inch | $8.25 | $8.65 | $9.10 | $9.55 | $10.00 |
| 4.0-inch | $8.25 | $8.65 | $9.10 | $9.55 | $10.00 |
| 6.0-inch | $23.95 | $25.15 | $26.40 | $27.70 | $29.05 |
| 8.0-inch | $51.10 | $53.60 | $56.25 | $59.00 | $61.85 |
| 10.0-inch | $91.85 | $96.40 | $101.15 | $106.10 | $111.25 |
| 12.0-inch | $148.40 | $155.75 | $163.35 | $171.35 | $179.70 |
PROPOSED FIVE-YEAR SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR WASTEWATER SERVICE
| Item | FY27 | FY28 | FY29 | FY30 | FY31 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential, $ per month | |||||
| Single Family | $24.80 | $26.30 | $27.85 | $29.50 | $31.30 |
| Multiple Family Dwelling Unit | $18.80 | $19.90 | $21.10 | $22.35 | $23.65 |
| Commercial | |||||
| –Potable Water, $/HCF | |||||
| High: BOD or TSS >= 501 mg/L | $4.20 | $4.46 | $4.72 | $5.00 | $5.31 |
| Med: BOD or TSS 201-500 mg/L | $2.46 | $2.61 | $2.77 | $2.93 | $3.11 |
| Low: BOD or TSS 0-200 mg/L | $1.44 | $1.53 | $1.62 | $1.71 | $1.82 |
| –Sewage Effluent, $/HCF | |||||
| High: BOD or TSS >= 501 mg/L | $4.83 | $5.12 | $5.43 | $5.75 | $6.11 |
| Med: BOD or TSS 201-500 mg/L | $2.86 | $3.03 | $3.22 | $3.41 | $3.62 |
| Low: BOD or TSS 0-200 mg/L | $2.06 | $2.18 | $2.31 | $2.45 | $2.60 |
| All Users, $/month (per account) | $3.45 | $3.65 | $3.85 | $4.10 | $4.30 |
| Industrial, High * | |||||
| –High Potable Water | |||||
| Volume, $/HCF | $1.448 | $1.534 | $1.626 | $1.722 | $1.826 |
| **BOD, $/pound | $0.295 | $0.313 | $0.332 | $0.352 | $0.374 |
| **TSS, $/pound | $0.350 | $0.371 | $0.393 | $0.416 | $0.442 |
| – High Sewage Effluent | |||||
| Volume, $/HCF | $1.448 | $1.534 | $1.626 | $1.722 | $1.826 |
| BOD, $/pound | $0.295 | $0.313 | $0.332 | $0.352 | $0.374 |
| TSS, $/pound | $0.350 | $0.371 | $0.393 | $0.416 | $0.442 |
| All Users, $/month (per account) | $3.45 | $3.65 | $3.85 | $4.10 | $4.30 |
| Industrial Low, BOD or TSS 0-200 mg/L $/HCF | |||||
| Potable Water | $1.44 | $1.53 | $1.62 | $1.71 | $1.82 |
| Sewage Effluent | $2.06 | $2.18 | $2.31 | $2.45 | $2.60 |
| All Users, $/month (per account) | $3.45 | $3.65 | $3.85 | $4.10 | $4.30 |
| Schools (ADA), $/ADA/year | |||||
| Kindergarten/Elementary | $9.85 | $10.45 | $11.05 | $11.70 | $12.45 |
| Middle | $19.60 | $20.75 | $22.00 | $23.30 | $24.75 |
| Senior/High | $19.60 | $20.75 | $22.00 | $23.30 | $24.75 |
| Parochial | $19.60 | $20.75 | $22.00 | $23.30 | $24.75 |
| College | $19.60 | $20.75 | $22.00 | $23.30 | $24.75 |
| All Users, $/month (per account/unit) | $3.45 | $3.65 | $3.85 | $4.10 | $4.30 |
Reducing Customer Impacts
The City recognizes the financial challenges faced by customers and strives to make responsible decisions that help keep rates as consistent as possible over time. One way the City is doing that is by making investments in solar and battery storage projects at three treatment facilities intended to reduce energy costs as well as the reliance on the electrical grid.
The City also offers the Utilities Affordability Credit Program (UACP), which provides financial assistance to eligible customers through credits funded with non-rate revenues. The City offers a credit of up to $5 per essential utility service for qualified customers. Learn more about participation here.
Participate in the Rates Process
There are multiple ways that property owners and customers of record may participate in the water and wastewater rate adoption process.
1. Attend the Public Hearing
The Fresno City Council will hold a public hearing on December 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to receive public comment and written protests from property owners and customers of record regarding the proposed rates. The hearing will be held at the Fresno City Hall, Council Chamber (2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721).
2. Submit a Written Protest
Proposition 218 provides a “majority protest” process through which any property owner or customer of record may submit one written protest per parcel or service address. If you would like to protest the water and/or wastewater rate updates, please return the protest card(s) to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721).
Valid protests must be received by the City Clerk before the close of the public hearing; only return the protest card(s) for the services you receive. If mailing the protest card, owner or customers must add postage to the provided envelope before mailing the protest card. No emailed or faxed protest cards will be accepted. Only return the protest card if you DO NOT want the Fresno City Council to enact the proposed changes to the schedule of rates for water and/or wastewater utility services.
2. Attend a Public Information Session
Proposition 218 provides a “majority protest” process through which any property owner or customer of record may submit one written protest per parcel or service address. If you would like to protest the water and/or wastewater rate updates, please return the protest card(s) to the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721).
| Week | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Monday, November 16 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | City Hall (Council Chambers) 2600 Fresno Street |
| Tuesday, November 17 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Oraze Elementary School 3468 N. Armstrong Ave. | |
| Thursday, November 19 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Fort Washington Elementary School 960 E. Teague Ave. | |
| Week 2 | Tuesday, December 1 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Sunnyside High School 1019 S. Peach Ave. |
| Thursday, December 3 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Figarden Elementary School 6235 N. Brawley Ave. | |
| Week 3 | Tuesday, December 8 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Steinbeck Elementary School 3550 N. Millburn Ave. |
| Thursday, December 10 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Duncan Polytechnical High School 4330 E. Garland Ave. | |
| Week 4 | Tuesday, December 15 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Gaston Middle School (Presentation Room) 1100 E. Church Ave. |
| Wednesday, December 16 | 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Fresno High School 1839 N. Echo Ave. |
Rate Setting Timeline and Next Steps
A
Mid-November 2026 – Prop218 notices mailed to property owners and customers of record
B
November and December 2026: Outreach to inform customer about the proposed rate increases
C
Dec. 29, 2026: Public hearing on rate increases concludes the 45-day protest period
D
Jan. 1, 2027: If adopted, new rates will go into effect
Contact the City of Fresno
Customers with further questions can reach out to
the City by phone at (559) 621-8218 or email at [email protected].