Скачать или смотреть El Paso Water rate hike approved; residents to face $10 average increase in bills

The El Paso Water's rate hike was approved on Wednesday afternoon.

During EPWater's Public Service Board meeting, the board approved the utility's budget for the fiscal year of 2026-2027.

The approval will mean that, on average, residents could see a $10 increase in their water bills.

The amount totals a 12% increase over last year’s bill, according to El Paso Water.

The budget, rates and fees will go into effect at the start of the fiscal year, beginning March 1.

“We know affordability is important to our customers, and that is why we are adding two new rate features to help our lowest water users,” said EPWater President and CEO John Balliew. “Customer feedback also favors reliability, so ensuring sufficient funding to improve and maintain our systems is a top priority.”

The motion was passed in a vote of five to two, with Mayor Renard Johnson and the PSB's Secretary-Treasurer Stefanie Block Uribarri voting against the increase.

This comes after Northeast El Paso has been under crisis for three days, with residents having either no service or under a water boil notice following a water main break.

Before the board voted for the rate hike, a video was shared on social media showing a resident being detained after it appears she disrupted the meeting, sharing her frustrations following the water main break.

According to the El Paso Water, customers can reduce the impact of rate and fee increases through conservation:

Low water users of 4 CCFs (2,992 gallons) or less will not be charged the Water Supply. Replacement Charge (WSRC) of $17.49 a month. More than 80,000 customers qualify.
Very low water users of 1 CCF (748 gallons) will qualify for $13.99 in savings, in additionto the WSRC. About 8,000 customers qualify for this discount.
Additionally, multiple residential rebate programs are available at epwater.org. Businesses can apply for EPWater’s WaterWise Rebate Program.

STORY: https://cbs4local.com/newsletter-dail...

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