Council presses for clearer public education on water rates and timeline for treatment‑plant decisions

Water rates, conservation and the city’s long‑term water infrastructure were the focus of a section of the strategic‑plan workshop, with council asking staff to tell a clearer story for the public about drivers of rate increases and timing for future treatment‑plant capacity decisions.

Several councilors asked staff to present comparative data showing how Westminster’s rates and timing for treatment projects relate to nearby jurisdictions; one councilor noted that Broomfield and other North Denver communities have recently announced large water investments and that those projects are driven by state requirements and permit conditions. Councilors stressed that residents need context about why costs are rising and whether Westminster is taking a more or less expensive path than similar cities.

Staff and council discussed the next decision points for an additional water treatment train, debt‑service timelines, and the need to align expansion decisions with borrowing capacity. One staff member urged narrative communication showing “where we are now and how we got here,” and demonstrating that periodic small rate increases may not keep up with rising costs for water supply, treatment, construction and inflation.

Council asked staff to return with storytelling materials (data visualizations and community‑facing presentations), a timeline for the next major water‑capacity decision, and comparisons with neighboring communities to help residents understand the drivers of rates and future options.

What’s next: staff will prepare public education materials, comparative rate analyses and a decision‑point timeline for council review.