Mohave Water Department proposes rate increases for large water consumers

Bullhead City residents will soon see changes in their water bills as the City Council discussed a proposed rate increase during their work session on May 6, 2025. The council is considering adjustments to water rates after a four-year period of maintaining stable prices for customers, despite multiple increases from the previous provider, EPCOR.

City officials highlighted that the proposed rate increases are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the water system and to cover rising operational costs. The new rates will affect various meter sizes, with residential customers typically using a 5/8 by 3/4 meter. The council emphasized that the increases will be applied uniformly across different meter sizes, ensuring fairness in the billing process.

For example, a customer using 4,000 gallons per month would see their bill rise from $25.99 to approximately $30.95, marking a $4.96 increase. In contrast, North Mohave customers would experience a more significant jump, with their bills increasing by $8.21 for the same usage. The council noted that even with these increases, the new rates would still be lower than those charged by EPCOR, which has a history of frequent rate hikes.

The council also discussed the potential for implementing a budget plan to help residents manage their payments more effectively, particularly for those on fixed incomes or with limited budgets. This proposal aims to ease the financial burden on families as they adjust to the new rates.

As the council moves forward with these discussions, they are committed to transparency and will continue to engage with the community to address concerns and provide further clarification on the upcoming changes. The proposed rate adjustments are expected to be finalized in the coming months, with the goal of ensuring a reliable water supply for all residents while maintaining affordability.