EPWater presents FY 2025-26 proposed budget, rates and fees
EL PASO – The Public Service Board approved revisions to the rate structure to benefit low water users on Tuesday. EPWater staff presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Water, Wastewater and Stormwater budgets to the PSB, emphasizing reliability, water supply and flood control. If approved, customers will see an increase of $5.71 per month on the typical residential bill for water, wastewater and stormwater charges. The proposed amount totals a 7% over last year’s bill.
“The main budget driver continues to be the need to invest in infrastructure to boost reliability,” said EPWater President and CEO John Balliew. “We reduced our capital improvement project budget to hold down further budget increases. Looking forward, we are looking to balance utility needs against what customers are paying.”
Customers may reduce the impact of rate and fee increases through conservation:
- Very low water users of 1 CCF will qualify for a 30% discount on the minimum charges.
- The waiver for the Water Supply Replacement Charge will be raised from 3 CCFs or less to 4 CCFs or less. An additional 19,000 low water users will be eligible to save $15.62 monthly.
- Additionally, multiple residential rebate programs are available at epwater.org. Businesses may apply for EPWater’s WaterWise Rebate Program.
EPWater’s funding priorities include:
- Reliability - $342 million: Wastewater plant improvements, pipes, pumping systems and meter replacement program. Bustamante Plant expansion and rehabilitation remains largest project.
- Growth - $126 million: Northwest development waterline, east waterline extension and northeast wastewater main upgrades.
- Water supply - $76 million: Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant expansion, Advanced Water Purification Facility and aquifer replenishment.
- Flood control - $66 million: New ponds and improvements to dams and pipes.
The board will vote on the FY2025-26 budget, including rates and fees, during the Jan. 8 meeting. If approved, the budget, rates and fees will go into effect with the fiscal year, beginning March 1.
The public may attend and offer comment on the proposed budget and rates at the Dec. 11 or Jan. 8 PSB meetings. Also, comments may be emailed to [email protected] through Jan. 7.