Phoenix is considering increases in water and wastewater rates and will discuss the need for the hikes in a series of public meetings.

The Phoenix Water Services Department proposes the increase to address rising costs and to meet “inflationary pressures affecting utilities across the nation,” according to a city release.

Preliminary estimates show the average residential customer will see an increase for water usage fee of approximately 6.5% or $2 in October with additional increases in March 2024 (6.5%) and March 2025 (13%).

For wastewater service, the average residential customer will see an increase of approximately 6.5% or $1.60 in October with additional increases in March 2024 (6.5%) and March 2025 (7%).

“Changes to the water and wastewater rates impact everyone differently, and there are many factors that determine how much each customer pays,” city officials said in the release.

“Phoenix will still have some of the most affordable water services compared to other large cities, and customers who conserve water will be able to lessen the impact of the higher rates.”

There is also a request to increase the stormwater excise tax to fund the city's compliance with new requirements for preventing pollution from entering waterways.

For more details: phoenix.gov/proposedrates.

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.