Santa Fe committee hears plan for water rate increase and move to year-round three-tier structure

Director Jesse Roach told the Santa Fe Public Works and Utilities Committee on Dec. 1 that the city is proposing a phased water rate increase and a change to a year‑round three‑tier rate structure to generate revenue for major capital needs and to better align costs with summer outdoor use.

“We haven't raised water rates since 2013,” Director Jesse Roach said, adding that inflation has risen about 41% since then and that several large capital projects have increased the utility’s projected needs. Roach said the four projects discussed — including the Nichols Dam rehabilitation, a McClure project, the Canyon Road water‑treatment plant effort and what was spoken of in the meeting as the “San Juan Tremor return flow project” — will combine to push capital spending toward about $30,000,000 a year over the next…