Starting October 1, 2026, Orange County Utilities will begin raising commercial water and wastewater rates each year for five years. Water fixed monthly charges will go up 9% annually, wastewater fixed charges 5% annually, and both water and wastewater volume charges 11% annually. Customers with meters smaller than 1″ will see a smaller 3% annual increase on water volume charges. A new wastewater environmental surcharge will also start in 2026 and rise 3% each year…