Oro Valley Council approves water rate increases for local customers

The Oro Valley Town Council meeting on June 4, 2025, focused primarily on the proposed increase in water rates for the community. The discussion highlighted the current water pricing structure and the rationale behind the adjustments.

Justin Abraham, a representative from the Oro Valley Water Utility, presented the findings of a water rates analysis. He noted that the utility remains the lowest-priced water service provider in Southern Arizona for the majority of its customers, particularly those with a standard 5/8 inch meter who consume an average of 7,000 gallons per month. Under the proposed changes, these customers would see an increase of $1.81, or 3.6%, raising their monthly bill from $49.64 to $51.45.

Abraham compared these rates to those of neighboring providers, indicating that Oro Valley's rates would still be significantly lower than those of Metro Water at $57.10, Murano at $55.50, and Tucson Water at $56.74. He acknowledged that while Oro Valley is not the least expensive option for customers in higher usage tiers (3 and 4), these tiers represent only about 2% of the customer base.

The council unanimously approved the resolution to increase the potable water base rates and commodity rates, with the new rates set to take effect on July 5, 2025, and reflected in bills starting in August. Abraham expressed gratitude for the council's support and reiterated the commitment to providing high-quality water at competitive prices.

Overall, the meeting underscored the town's efforts to balance affordability with service quality, ensuring that Oro Valley residents continue to receive reliable water service at reasonable rates.