SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Scottsdale residents and businesses will soon see higher utility bills after the City Council voted last week to raise water and sewer rates.
The council approved a 4.5% increase to water rates and a 3.5% increase to sewer rates following a public hearing on May 19.
The increases are intended to cover rising electricity costs and upgrades to aging infrastructure.
How much more each customer pays will depend on usage, Budget Director Scott Selene said during the presentation.
The new sewer rates take effect July 1. The water rate increase takes effect Nov. 1.
One percentage point of the water increase is specifically earmarked for finding new water sources, a concern for a city that gets about 70% of its water supply from the Colorado River.
Scottsdale officials say the city continues to make measurable progress on five major initiatives designed to ensure a reliable and resilient water future, even as reductions to the Colorado River system are expected in the coming years.
Those efforts include expanding purified recycled water, increasing well recovery capacity, improving automated meter technology, pursuing additional water resources and expanding the ability to move water from the Salt River Project system.
City Manager Greg Caton has said options under consideration include purchasing water from outside sources and expanding conservation efforts.
The council also approved solid waste rate increases. Residential customers will see a 2% rate increase expected to generate about $700,000 in additional revenue, while commercial customers face a 4% increase projected to bring in another $200,000.
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