El Paso residents are bracing for a potential increase in their monthly expenses as El Paso Water has pitched a rate hike that may elevate average water bills by nearly $10. The proposal presented to the Public Service Board last Thursday suggests a 12% surge in water and wastewater bills to account for necessary infrastructure investments. With a budget totaling $1.2 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, the utility aims to maintain service levels and the quality of its water services. KFOX-TV reported residents’ worries about the hike, reflecting on the continuous rise in living costs.
As reported by CBS4 Local, Gilbert Trejo, El Paso Water’s vice president of operations and technical services, stated that the primary reason behind the increase is to ensure maintenance of service quality. The Public Service Board is expected to cast its votes on the proposal next January, with the increase potentially becoming effective in March 2026. Residents concerned with the budget will have the opportunity to voice their opinions at community meetings scheduled for the coming months.
El Paso Water has detailed its forthcoming budget, with a chunk of the proposed $830 million allocated for capital infrastructure improvements, including critical projects in system reliability, rehabilitation, and securing future water supplies. KTSM shared insights from EPWater President and CEO John Balliew about striking the right balance between affordability, reliability, and future-proofing the water system. While the stormwater fees remain unchanged, the monthly bump in water bills looms as a measure to support these extensive investments…