Chandler approves 9% water and reclaimed-water increases for 2027
Chandler Municipal Utilities Department, Arizona · Meeting date: November 9, 2026 · Published: November 10, 2026
Chandler will raise water and reclaimed-water revenue by 9% and wastewater revenue by 6.5% under Ordinance No. 5181. The measures take effect on bills issued from 4 January 2027 and are expected to generate about $9.5 million annually across the three utility funds.
Key points
- Council approved Ordinance No. 5181, with Councilmember Orlando voting against and all other members voting in favour.
- The changes are projected to generate approximately $5.696 million in additional water revenue, $3.586 million for wastewater and $222,000 for reclaimed water.
- Reclaimed-water charges will rise from $0.94 to $1.02 per 1,000 gallons for in-city metered customers; outside-city rates will rise from $1.32 to $1.44.
- The city will transfer $25,000 to its Acts of Kindness utility-bill assistance programme, administered through Ascend in partnership with the CARES team and Neighborhood Resources.
- A cost-of-service study is under way and is expected to be completed by April 2027 for review ahead of the 2028 rate process.
Full report
Chandler City Council has adopted increases of 9% for water and reclaimed water and 6.5% for wastewater, effective for all bills issued on or after 4 January 2027.
Ordinance No. 5181 passed with Councilmember Orlando voting no. The revised rate schedules apply across all customer classifications. The city projects the increases will generate approximately $5.696 million in additional water revenue, $3.586 million for wastewater and $222,000 for reclaimed water.
City staff said the additional revenue is required to meet operating and capital commitments, including debt service associated with water-facility improvements and wastewater facility upgrades and expansions. The financial plan also identifies planned replacements of ageing infrastructure, along with higher power and chemical costs, as drivers of the increases.
For in-city single-family customers, the monthly wastewater charge will rise from $31.80 to $33.87. The in-city monthly base charge for a 5/8-inch water meter will increase from $11.18 to $12.19. In-city residential volumetric water charges will rise from $1.91 to $2.08 per 1,000 gallons for the first 10,000 gallons used, and from $3.90 to $4.25 per 1,000 gallons for use above 60,000 gallons. The reclaimed-water rate will increase from $0.94 to $1.02 per 1,000 gallons for all in-city metered users.
Rates outside city limits will retain their existing differentials: 1.4 times in-city water and reclaimed-water rates, and 1.6 times in-city wastewater rates.
The council paired the rate decision with a $25,000 transfer from the General Fund contingency account to the Acts of Kindness, or A-OK, programme for residents needing help with utility bills. City staff said the programme is managed through Ascend, working with the city’s CARES team and Neighborhood Resources, and that the city will monitor demand and report back to council as funds are drawn down.
During public comment, resident Joe Rock opposed the wastewater increase and requested a cost-of-service report before the rate rise. Staff said such a study is under way, is expected to be complete by April 2027, and will provide a model that can be updated annually. It is intended to inform the utility-rate review for 2028.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Regular Meeting, Chandler Municipal Utilities Department