Nashville Advances One-Time Water and Sewer Bill Credit Following Winter Storm

Nashville Advances One-Time Water and Sewer Bill Credit Following Winter StormThe Metropolitan Council has approved the second reading of an ordinance providing financial relief to Metro Water Services customers affected by the January 2026 winter weather.

Ordinance BL2026-1294 authorizes a one-time bill credit to water and sewer users following the January 2026 winter storm.

The measure was pulled from the consolidated consent agenda but passed its second of three required readings.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee both unanimously recommended approval of the credit.

The council also advanced a contract amendment with Hydromax USA for valve and hydrant maintenance.

During its March 3, 2026 meeting, the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County advanced legislation to provide financial relief to local water and wastewater ratepayers following severe winter weather. Ordinance BL2026-1294 authorizes a one-time bill credit for Metro Water Services water and sewer users. The credit is a direct response to the impacts of the January 2026 winter storm, which was referred to in related property tax legislation as Winter Storm Fern. The measure was initially slated for the council's consolidated consent agenda but was pulled for a standalone vote. According to Vice Chair Ewing of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the bill credit was "discussed at length in committee" prior to the full council meeting, where it received unanimous committee backing with an 8-0 vote. The Budget and Finance Committee also recommended approval with a 10-0 vote. Following the committee reports, the council approved the ordinance on its second of three required readings via a voice vote. The exact financial impact of the credit on utility revenues and the specific credit amounts were not detailed during the session. In other water infrastructure business, the council approved several routine items on its consent agenda. These included a participation agreement with Chilton Homes, LLC for public water service improvements and Ordinance BL2026-1258, which approves an amendment to a contract with Hydromax USA, LLC for valve exercising and hydrant maintenance services.