El Paso Water Utilities proposes 11% water, sewage rate hike

The El Paso Water Utilities is considering raising stormwater rates and Monday, ABC-7 learned the water and sewer rate could also increase by 11 percent.

The EPWU board cites reasons for the proposed raise, including the fact El Paso is adding 4,000 homes every year. The city also is expanding in the Northeast and Montana East areas. To meet these demands, the water utilities board says it needs more money.

EPWU suggests both rates be increased by 11 percent. For stormwater, That’s about $0.35 cents more for the average home, or $3.21 to $3.56.For water and wastewater, the average rate would go up $4.52, from $41. 56 to $46.08. commercial properties will see an increase of $18.17.

The stormwater budget needs more money to pay for $650 million in proposed projects, some which will help offset serious flooding. The water and wastewater budget needs more money to pay for major projects costing nearly $290 million. Those projects include advanced water purification, a multi step water reuse protect that would convert used water to drinking water, and acquisition of new water resources in Hudspeth County for future water importation.

The water utilities will vote to approve these rate changes Jan. 13. If approved they go into affect March 1.