EL PASO –The Public Service Board approved El Paso Water’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 water, wastewater and stormwater budgets on Wednesday to improve reliability, water supply and flood control. Stormwater fees will not increase.

The approved budget, rates and fees mean that customers will see an increase of $9.99 per month on the typical residential bill. The amount totals a 12% increase over last year’s bill. The PSB heard comments from dozens of customers at the Wednesday morning meeting before a vote was taken.

“We know affordability is important to our customers, and that is why we are adding two new rate features to help our lowest water users,” said EPWater President and CEO John Balliew. “Customer feedback also favors reliability, so ensuring sufficient funding to improve and maintain our systems is a top priority.”

Customers can reduce the impact of rate and fee increases through conservation:

• Low water users of 4 CCFs (2,992 gallons) or less will not be charged the Water Supply Replacement Charge (WSRC) of $17.49 a month. More than 80,000 customers qualify.
• Very low water users of 1 CCF (748 gallons) will qualify for $13.99 in savings, in addition to the WSRC. About 8,000 customers qualify for this discount.
• Additionally, multiple residential rebate programs are available at epwater.org. Businesses can apply for EPWater’s WaterWise Rebate Program.

EPWater’s funding priorities include:

• Reliability - $431 million: Wastewater plant improvements, water and wastewater line replacement and meter replacement programs. Bustamante Plant expansion and rehabilitation is the single largest project in utility history.
• Growth - $166 million: Water and wastewater extensions for developing areas, such as in Northwest El Paso, new services to developments north of Montana near Fort Bliss and Montana Vista.
• Water supply - $118 million: Pure Water Center construction, Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant expansion, well drilling and equipping.
• Flood control - $60 million: Drainage improvements, including the Palisades Project, Hondo Pass and Will Ruth Pond.

The budget, rates and fees will go into effect at the start of the fiscal year, beginning March 1.