Santa Fe officials unveil multi-year water and wastewater rate increases to fund $300M+ infrastructure

Summary

City staff presented a plan to raise water and wastewater revenues over the next decade to cover major capital projects — including two dam rehabilitations and a planned $182 million wastewater plant investment — with proposed average-bill increases phased over 5–10 years and a mix of grants and very low-interest loans to reduce customer impact.

Santa Fe officials presented a package of utility revenue increases and financing proposals aimed at funding more than $300 million of water and wastewater capital projects over the next five to ten years.

The proposed plan combines state and federal grants and low-interest loans with a phased utility rate increase. Jesse Roche, interim public utilities director, told the governing body the proposal would raise average bills gradually so the utilities can fund large projects including two dam rehabilitations and a major upgrade or replacement of the Paseo Real Water Reclamation Facility.

Roche said, "we need to increase revenues." He told the council inflation and deferred investment since 2013 left the utilities unable to cover planned work: "Since 02/2013, inflation has increased by 41%…a dollar of revenue pays for 41% less goods and services than it did in 2013." The presentation showed water and wastewater together averaged about $65 per month and the package would gradually raise the combined bill toward an $82 average by the end of the…

Santa Fe officials unveil multi-year water and wastewater rate increases to fund $300M+ infrastructure

Summary

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