Water Rate Adjustment – Full Explanation

From the Office of the City Manager/Director of Public Utilities

After careful review, the City of West Palm Beach will be implementing a water‐rate adjustment to support essential infrastructure upgrades, meet regulatory requirements, and ensure reliable service for all residents. Although the City has held town hall meetings and welcomed public input, we want to provide complete transparency about why this must be done, what is covered, and how the program will roll out.

Why this is necessary

The City’s water treatment and distribution system has significant capital needs. For example, the City’s “UV System and Water Plant” project page shows that the water-treatment facility is undergoing major modernization to maintain safe, high-quality drinking water and to comply with state and federal standards.

The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) highlights a commitment to renewal of water supply, treatment, reuse, and distribution infrastructure.

The rate schedule page confirms that a new “2025-2026 Rate Schedule” has been published for the City’s Public Utilities department, signaling that rates are being formalized for upcoming service years.

Upgrades are needed to protect the system against aging equipment failures, rising maintenance costs, and increased regulatory/future water-quality demands. The City’s FAQ page on Public Utilities notes “Water Meter Replacement Program, October 2025 through Spring 2026.”

What the rate adjustment will cover

The additional revenue generated from the rate increase will be dedicated to:

• Modernizing the water treatment plant and associated processes (including ultraviolet disinfection systems, plant expansions, and control upgrades).
• Replacing aging distribution mains, service lines, valves, and hydrants to reduce leaks, main breaks and service disruptions.
• Meter replacement initiative (beginning October 2025) to improve billing accuracy, better detect leaks, and enable more efficient operations.
• Ongoing maintenance, operations, and staffing to ensure consistent, safe water delivery to residents and businesses.
• Ensuring the water utility remains financially sustainable, avoids deferred maintenance, and can maintain reserves for emergencies and future growth.

How it will roll out

• Rate Schedule Publication: The City has published the 2025-2026 Rate Schedule for water service, giving residents the updated fee structure.
• Meter Replacement Program: Starting in October 2025 and continuing through Spring 2026, the meter-replacement initiative will begin. The City has issued a notice about this program.
• Infrastructure Projects: Over the next several years, prioritized capital projects will be phased into the CIP. Residents will see construction, upgrades, and maintenance work in their neighborhoods as the program advances.
• Community Transparency: We commit to providing periodic updates, maps and project‐lists on the City website so residents can see “what’s being done, where, and when.”
• Billing Impact: The new rate will appear on water bills according to the schedule in the published 2025-2026 rate sheet. The City encourages residents to review the Rate Schedule and contact Public Utilities with any questions.

Commitment to Residents

We understand that any rate increase is difficult. That’s why we have chosen a structured approach—with published rate schedules, dedicated infrastructure projects, and clear accountability. By taking action now, we avoid greater costs later, ensure safe and high-quality water service for every home and business, and keep West Palm Beach resilient, strong, and ready for the future.

Thank you for your partnership and trust.

— Faye W. Johnson, City Manager
City of West Palm Beach