Thedailymiamines, El Paso, Texas — The proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budgets will result in a $5.71 increase in El Paso Water customers’ water bills. The utility said on Wednesday, January 8, that the sum represents a 7% rise over the previous year’s rate.
The Public Service Board authorized the stormwater, wastewater, and water budgets in order to “improve reliability, water supply, and flood control,” according to EP Water.
According to EP Water, customers’ monthly residential water, wastewater, and stormwater bills will increase by $5.71.
On March 1, the start of the fiscal year, the budget, rates, and fees will all become operative.
According to EP Water, the following conservation measures will result in lower rates and taxes for customers:
- The minimum rates will be reduced by 30% for very low water users of one CCF (hundred cubic feet).
- Approximately 15,000 clients will be eligible for this offer.
- The Water Supply Replacement Charge waiver will now be extended from three CCFs or fewer to four CCFs or less.
- This $15.62 monthly savings will be available to an estimated 69,000 clients.
- Additionally, epwater.org offers a number of home refund schemes.
- EPWater’s WaterWise Rebate Program is open to businesses.
The following initiatives will get support from EP Water:
- Reliability: $342 million for a program to replace meters, pumping systems, pipes, and wastewater plant improvements. The major project is still the expansion and repair of the Bustamante Plant.
- Growth: $126 million will be used to upgrade the northeast wastewater main, extend the east waterline, and develop the northwest waterline.
- Water supply: $76 million for aquifer replenishment, the development of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant, and the Advanced Water Purification Facility.
- $66 million for additional ponds, dam and pipe upgrades, and flood control.
John Balliew, president and CEO of EPWater, stated, “This year, we are putting affordability first by implementing two new rate features to assist our lowest water users.” “As we continue to prioritize dependability, we must make sure that we have enough money to run and maintain our system. In order to maintain the affordability of our services, we are eager to put these possibilities into practice.