Fall River staff propose FY2026 water and sewer rate increases as residents urge a break

Summary

City utilities leaders presented proposed FY2026 enterprise budgets that would raise the water user rate to $4.58 per CCF and the sewer user rate to $8.51 per CCF; residents who spoke during the committee meeting urged the council not to approve further increases and questioned budgeting for chemicals not currently in use.

City utilities staff presented proposed fiscal 2026 enterprise budgets for the water and sewer divisions and said the plans rely on rate increases while several residents urged the council to reject any new hikes.

The water division’s proposed budget of $16,859,529 is supported by a $4.58 per CCF volumetric rate and a $14 quarterly base meter fee for a 5/8-inch meter, the presentation said. The sewer division’s proposed budget is $32,991,128, and the recommended sewer user rate would rise to $8.51 per CCF; the stormwater fee would remain $50 per quarter per equivalent residential unit.

City utilities administrator Paul Furlan and the department’s presenter summarized how fixed costs — debt service, electricity, treatment chemicals and other non-discretionary outlays — limit how much of the budget can be covered by volumetric charges. “Revenue is kind of the reverse of that,” the presenter said…

Fall River staff propose FY2026 water and sewer rate increases as residents urge a break

Summary

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