Gilbert customers will see increased utility rates for water and solid waste & recycling services.

The Gilbert Town Council unanimously approved the utility rates increases at the February 6 council meeting.

The impact of the rates increases will vary per customer.

Gilbert residents and business owners can use the online utility bill calculator to see how the increases will affect their monthly bill.

Water services

Water services will see a gradual rate increase to reduce the immediate financial impact to residents and business owners in our community.

The average monthly residential water bill will increase by $17 in April 2024, by approximately $13 in 2025, and by approximately $16 in 2026.

Gilbert is facing significant challenges in treating and delivering clean water due to aging infrastructure, the Colorado River shortage and changes to the quality of water coming into our community.

To combat these issues, critical improvements projects, like the reconstruction of the North Water Treatment Plant, are needed. Some of these essential projects are already under way while others are just beginning.

Ongoing inflation and cost escalation have impacted and/or delayed these projects, leading to the proposal for utility rate increases.  

Solid waste and reycling

Council also approved the fee increases for solid waste and recycling services

An estimated 90% of residential customers will see an increase of $8.52 a month, bringing their solid waste & recycling monthly bill to $27.55.

Rising costs have once again prompted the need for an increase in the rates for solid waste & recycling services in Gilbert. 

The price of acquiring a new garbage truck has almost doubled over the past five years and exceeds $500,000 per vehicle. Additionally, costs associated with landfill trash disposal have seen a substantial rise since the last rate adjustment.

Utility bill discount pilot program

The town council has also approved the formation of a utility bill discount pilot program, which will launch this summer to support Gilbert utility customers in need of financial assistance.

The goal of the program is to prevent crisis situations from happening, especially among at-risk populations. 

Once it’s available, information about the new discount pilot program can be found Utility Rates website at gilbertaz.gov/UtilityRates.