James City County service authority proposes multi-year water, sewer rate increases; officials point to inflation and aging pipes

The James City Service Authority (JCSA) on Tuesday presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget that includes multi-year increases to both water and sewer charges, and outlined capital projects to repair aging pipes and improve system reliability.

JCSA General Manager Doug Powell told the community that JCSA is “the water and wastewater collection provider for James City County” and that the authority relies entirely on customer fees rather than property tax support. He described the system’s scope — a treatment plant that can produce up to 5,000,000 gallons per day, 426 miles of distribution lines, 2,963 fire hydrants, roughly 78 sewer pump stations and service to tens of thousands of customers — to explain why capital work can be costly.

Powell and staff said the authority’s proposed combined water and sewer budget is roughly $30.7 million for FY26, up from the previously planned $28.6 million, and noted that about half of the increase reflects a grant. The water fund’s FY26 capital improvement program (CIP) is about $5 million, with a five‑year…