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Officials warn Montrose water bills could spike initially under full-plant plan
Summary
Staff told residents a full water-treatment facility would likely drive a significant first-year increase in household water bills—"about 200% higher" initially—with smaller annual increases thereafter; council asked staff to study mitigation and alternatives.
City staff told residents that a full-treatment plant would increase household water bills substantially at first and that the city is exploring alternatives to reduce that impact.
"Will my family's water bill go up? Yes. It will. It would be a big increase at 1st about 200% higher than your current water bill," the Staff member said while explaining financing scenarios. Staff added that smaller increases (around 7% per year) were modeled after the initial jump.
Officials emphasized that staff are seeking alternatives—including modular systems—to avoid an immediate large rate shock. A council member said the $30 million plant estimate would be difficult for residents to absorb and urged staff to pursue lower-cost options and to return with more specific rate-impacts after engineering review.
No rate decision was made at the town hall; staff will provide updated cost and rate models in the next meeting cycle.
