Residents of Denver and neighboring cities will pay higher water bills next year, generating an additional $8 million that Denver Water says it needs.
In Denver, most bills will increase by $6.60 per year, resulting in an average annual bill of $458, an increase of 1.4 percent. Denver residents will pay the same water price per gallon, but their monthly base cost will increase.
In neighboring areas, bills could increase by $23 to $41 per year, resulting in average bills ranging from $556 to $685 per year, depending on service. They’ll be paying the higher base cost and higher rates. The rates will increase by 4 percent to 8 percent, depending on service type and volume.
Suburban customers include those who rely on various small distributors as well as residents of numerous municipalities, such as Sheridan, Lakewood and Littleton.
The Denver Board of Water Commissioners approved the rate changes at a meeting on Nov. 14.
The hikes are steeper in the suburbs than the city for a reason, according to Denver Water. Development in Denver proper has resulted in higher revenues, which lowers the bills for Denver residents. Meanwhile, development in the suburbs has been slower, so those bill payers get less of a subsidy. Suburban residents also tend to use more water on their larger lawns and houses.
The hike will help Denver Water pay for its plan for $1.3 billion of capital projects over the next five years, including a water treatment plant and water quality lab; a replacement pipeline in Jefferson County; a controversial expansion of Gross Reservoir; general repairs and replacements; and more.
Denver Water serves about 1.4 million people.
