Every so often, the More Power to You blog will bring a non-electrical topic into the conversation. This time, we’re welcoming our friends from the Water department so that we can discuss an important subject to them and you.

Namely, water rates.

While we’ve often taken a lighthearted tone in this blog, we know that utility rates of any kind are serious business. They’re necessary in order to provide the quality service that our community expects and deserves, but they also have an impact on our customers. So those rates are always carefully considered and never adjusted lightly.

This time, as mentioned, the conversation is about water. In October, the City Council will decide whether to adjust the 2025-2027 water rates. If they’re adopted, the changes would begin to appear on the Jan. 1, 2025 utility bill, where a typical residential customer would see an additional $4.46 in water rates.

Where does that go to? In addition to the usual maintenance, operations and upgrades for the water system, there are two large projects coming up over the next few years. One is to replace the remaining cast-iron pipe in the City’s water system, which is 80 to 100 years old and getting brittle. The other is to finish the expansion of the Nelson-Flanders water treatment plant so that it can keep serving our growing community effectively.

Both of those are large enough that the City will ask voters to spread out the cost over 20 to 30 years through bonds. If the Council agrees, those would start to come on the ballot in 2026, as a way to get the work done without hitting the rates hard.

But like we said, we know that any increase still has an impact. That’s why the proposed change also includes an adjustment in the Longmont CAReS rebates, to help offset the cost for qualifying customers. That’s in addition to the water conservation rebates and programs that the City already offers, along with the opportunities to save water through Efficiency Works.

After all, you’re important to us. That’s why we’ll always be up front with you about changes like this. And it’s why we’ll always provide you the best service we can give – for water, electric, or any other utility.

You’re our community.  And you deserve no less.