Overview
- An initial model presented to trustees outlines annual residential increases between roughly 6.7% and 8% from 2026 through 2029, raising the typical bill by about 31%–33% by 2029.
- Board leaders emphasized the figures are preliminary, requesting more project detail and a full public review, with a potential City Council vote not expected before April.
- An independent study by Carollo Engineers found revenue from rates will need to rise about 42% over five years to meet projected costs across SAWS’ systems.
- Funding priorities include more than $3 billion in capital work such as over $340 million to rehabilitate the two largest wastewater plants and widespread pipe replacements.
- SAWS says about 30,000 customers in its Uplift income-based assistance program would be exempt from increases, and this would be the first residential rate hike since 2020.