It\u2019s almost official: At its March 3 meeting, Scottsdale City Council raised no objections to staff-recommended water, wastewater, garbage collection and other rate increases.<\/p>\n
But the final step in the process remains two months away, after a May 19 public hearing \u2013 and likely adoption of the increases.<\/p>\n
The March 3 vote was hardly a surprise, as two weeks earlier, City Council unanimously approved a \u201cnotice of intention to increase water and wastewater rates.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the agenda information, \u201cThe city is proposing a 4.5% water rate increase and a 3.5% sewer rate increase for fiscal year 26\/27.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though the average resident would pay an extra $5.21 per month starting this fall, Scottsdale\u2019s water and sewer rates are second-best in the Valley. Only Chandler, at $71.32 per month, beats the $129.79 Scottsdale charges its average water\/sewer user.<\/p>\n
Peoria ($134.47), Tempe ($147.31), Phoenix ($154.70), Glendale ($167.84), Mesa ($169.56) and Gilbert ($180.82) all charge more for 16,000 gallons of water and 11,000 gallons of wastewater, according to Scottsdale staff information.<\/p>\n
Council also gave nods of approval to raising residential garbage collection by 2%, from $31.78 to $32.42 monthly.<\/p>\n
If Council continues to move forward on the administration\u2019s request, sewer rate increases would go into effect July 1, with the water increase coming Nov. 1.<\/p>\n
According to a memo from Sonia Andrews, Scottsdale\u2019s treasurer, \u201cThese increases were determined by the Water Resources Department using a five-year rate model to calculate revenue requirements for upcoming water and sewer operating and capital needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rate increases, Andrews noted, \u201cdo not include funding for capital projects that do not have accurate cost projections and capital projects that are still being defined.\u201d<\/p>\n
More increases could be on the horizon:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the Water Department refines the capital projects and related needs, the water and sewer five-year financial plans and rate models will be updated,\u201d Andrews noted.<\/p>\n
Andrews is asking Council to approve a \u201cnotice of intention to modify rates and miscellaneous water charges\u201d and schedule a May 19 public hearing on the proposed changes.<\/p>\n
According to a staff report by David Walby, the city\u2019s interim Water Resources senior director, water rate increases are required by:<\/p>\n
Operating cost increases for raw water to include current drought pricing, put in place by Central Arizona Project (CAP);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Costs associated with additional water source and supply;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Operating cost increases for electricity in the Arizona Public Service (APS) service area;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Increasing cost for replacing and repairing aging infrastructure;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Operating cost increases for personnel services and benefits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Like other cities around the Valley, utility rates are trending sharply upwards, here.<\/p>\n
In 2025, Scottsdale implemented a 4.5% water fee increase and 6% sewer fees increase.<\/p>\n
In 2024, Scottsdale residents saw their water rates increase by 6.3% and sewer rates go up 8%.<\/p>\n
In 2023, increases were 4.2% for water and 5.8% for sewer.<\/p>\n
According to a presentation last year, even after the increases, Scottsdale\u2019s rates were on the low end, compared to other Valley cities.<\/p>\n
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