PSB approves stormwater, sewer rate hike

The Public Service Board approved a rate increase for El Paso Water Utilities customers.

On Wednesday, the PSB approved an 11 percent increase to both the stormwater rate, which is meant to address flooding in the city, and the water and sewer rate, which is the water you use in your home.

Utility officials had said the stormwater budget needs more money to pay for $650 million in proposed projects, some which will help offset serious flooding. The water and sewer budget needs more money to pay for $290 million in capital projects, such as advanced water purification, converting used water to drinking water. The utility is also trying to acquire new water resources in Hudspeth County for future water importation.

“The same increases that everybody is facing, the gas the electric, plus the basic cost of the materials everybody else has to deal with, we have those same cost pressures,” said John Balliew, CEO and president of El Paso Water Utilties, said last month. “We need to replace infrastructure and acquire water resources for the future of this company.”

Balliew also said EPWU is seeking grants that would lower the burden on the rate payer.

For now, stormwater fees will go up about 35 cents more for the average home, or $3.21 to $3.56. For water and sewer, the average rate would go up $4.52, from $41.56 to $46.08. In Las Cruces, the average home pays $33.41. Commercial properties will see an increase of $18.17

“It’s an investment in the future of the community, we can’t keep pushing this can down the road,” Balliew told ABC-7.

The rate increases go into affect March 1.