![]() O'Brien did not respond to request for comment. In Waring's view, unanimous votes could be interpreted by the public as a lack of due diligence on the council's part. Waring said he voted in opposition not because he disagreed with the rate hikes but rather because he didn't want to give the impression that City Council votes to raise rates without deliberation. The council voted 7-2 to approve the rate changes, with conservative Councilmembers Jim Waring and Ann O'Brien, who represent the city's northernmost districts, in opposition.Īrzizona groundwater shortage: Phoenix mayor concerned about 'sensational' reporting of state's groundwater Some Phoenix councilmembers noted the precipitous hikes also came about because prior councils refused to raise rates when they should have in the past. Raw water costs are expected to rise 35%.Ĭity officials have been less clear about the specific cost of advanced water purification, saying only that it would be in the billions of dollars. Prices for the chemicals used to treat water, plus the cost of raw water alone, are expected to see some of the steepest increases.Ĭhemicals to treat potable water are projected to cost 136% more in the coming year, while chemicals to treat wastewater are expected to cost 51% more, according to city officials. City officials say that money is needed to combat inflation, improve aging infrastructure and develop advanced water purification operations. The rate changes, combined with the allowance reductions, are expected to grow the water department's revenue by 32% over the next two years, according to a city spokesperson. 17% between October through May, from 4,488 gallons to 3,740 gallons.20% between June and September, from 7,480 gallons to 5,984 gallons.Officials estimate those figures will jump to between 69% and 85% depending on the season with the new, reduced allowances. City documents show in the past five years, 60% to 79% of water customers exceeded monthly allowances in Phoenix, depending on the season. Most residents already exceed Phoenix's monthly allowances. ![]() View Gallery: Scottsdale residents cope with water shortages Phoenix will decrease the base amount provided, called the allowance, over the next two years, which means more residents will pay the updated, higher rates - unless they start using less water.Ĭity officials have pitched the charging structure changes as a way to incentivize conservation and to begin shifting the public's view of water to a valuable commodity worthy of careful use. The one charge that will see an increase, the seasonal charge, is only paid by customers who use more than the base amount of water the city provides each month. That's because water bills in Phoenix have three parts: service, seasonal and environmental charges. Average Phoenix residents who make no change to their water consumption habits will pay 48% more, from $32.19 in 2022 to $47.53 in 2025, plus tax, according to Phoenix water administrator Steve Irvine.īig water consumers could pay more, and those who conserve significantly could potentially see no increase. The city is hiking rates in October 2023, March 2024 and March 2025 after the City Council voted yes at a public meeting in June. Phoenix residents will need to significantly cut back on water use over the next two years or risk facing drastic increases to their water bills. To get a water service connected to the City of Phoenix water system, please contact the Planning and Development Department at 60.Watch Video: Yuma farmers worry about future of Colorado River water ![]() This involves the process of attaching a physical pipe from your water meter to the city water system. Establishing a Water Connection (physical tap)Įstablishing a water connection is different from setting up an account. To get a sewer service connected to the City of Phoenix Wastewater Collection System, please contact the Planning and Development Department at 60. This involves the process of attaching a physical pipe from your home or business to the city sewer system. Establishing a Sewer Connection (physical tap)Įstablishing a sewer connection is different from setting up an account. If your water must be turned off at the meter box quickly due to an emergency plumbing repair, you can contact the Water Services Department Hotline at 60. ![]() to 5 p.m., excluding city holidays, at 60. To get your water turned off temporarily (then turned back on), please contact the Water Services Customer Services Division, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. Not Sure if You Are in the City of Phoenix?Ĭheck our city map. ![]()
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