Municipalities across the country have or are preparing to increase water bills beginning in 2026. In Colorado’s South Adams Watershed users will see a 3% increase, the City of Birmingham told residents to expect a $280 annual increase, and public water users in San Antonio may see prices jump 32% by 2029.
Increases vary dramatically from one municipality to the next. Contact the utility company in the areas you serve to learn about proposed or enacted increases, so you can have informed conversations with customers heading into the season.
As customers see their water bills increase, you can help them manage costs and conserve water through audits and system upgrades by:
- Learning about the EPAWaterSenseprogram and related rebate programs that may apply to your service area.
- Explaining the importance of following pre-programmed watering schedules to meet municipal requirements and maximize efficient water applied.
- Checking water pressure and flow rates to ensure they are within theoptimaloperating range to shrink the system’s water and electricity use.
- Completing a thorough walk-through of each system during spring startups toidentifyany leaks, overspray, damaged heads, or other areas of water waste.
- Talking to customers about the advantages of upgrading aged or outdated components to those with water-saving features.
- Choosing native plants or water-wise landscaping to reduce outdoor water use.
- Staying current with changing water policies, like California’s AB 1572 law that begins Jan. 1, 2028, and prohibits irrigation with potable water on commercial, industrial, or institutional properties.
