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Grand Rapids introduces water and sewer rate study; average household bill to rise about $20/year
Summary
City staff recommended a preliminary 6.38% system water increase and a 3.9% sewer decrease, producing a net average quarterly bill change of about +2% for Grand Rapids households (roughly $20 per year). Staff opened a 20-day public comment period and scheduled final rate consideration for Dec. 16.
City finance and utility staff on Nov. 14 presented the 49th annual water and sewer rate study and opened a public comment period on preliminary rate recommendations that would take effect Jan. 1, 2026 if approved.
Ty Berg, the water-systems financial analyst, explained the methodology: the city calculates each retail community’s revenue requirement from operating expenses, depreciation and the return on assets, then divides that by billed volume to set per-unit rates. Berg said the system-wide recommendation is a 6.38% increase for water and a 3.9%…
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