Water rates remain steady

Though passage of the city budget generally means higher costs for most Austinites (about $115 annually this time around), the Austin Water Utility would like to remind residents that they are not part of those increased costs. City Council voted to maintain a reduced water rate, introduced in 2018, which was a 4.8 percent rate reduction. A press release from the utility explains, “When the majority of water utilities across the country are increasing rates by 5 percent year-over-year, Austin Water is defying national trends – finding efficiencies and savings which have been contributing factors in Austin Water’s multi-year plan to stabilize water rates and make water service more affordable.” The press release also notes the utility has found savings by phasing out desktop computers, replacing wastewater treatment plant equipment and through financial decisions like low-interest loans and using debt defeasance to reduce overall debt.