Politics
Tucson City Council Raises Water and Sewer Rates for 2027
The ordinance approved on July 7 raises base water and sewer charges for Tucson households served by Tucson Water.
How we reported this
Tucson City Council passed the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Ordinance at its regular meeting on July 7. The measure sets utility rates and allocates spending across city departments for the period beginning July 1, 2026.
The vote occurred as the city prepares to meet rising costs for infrastructure repairs documented in the 2025 Tucson Water rate study. Council members reviewed line items that cover operations at the Hayden-Udall Water Treatment Plant and maintenance of the Santa Cruz River levees.
Changes to household bills
Under the ordinance, the fixed monthly service charge for residential water accounts will rise by the amount listed in the published rate schedule. A typical single-family home using 7,000 gallons per month will pay the new base fee plus volume charges that remain tied to current tiers. Sewer bills will incorporate an updated strength charge based on winter water use recorded by Tucson Water meters.
Residents in zip codes 85705, 85710 and 85719 who receive both water and sewer service will see the combined increase on their October statements. The city clerk’s office posted the full rate tables on the municipal website the same evening as the vote.
Next steps for implementation
City staff will mail updated rate notices to all Tucson Water account holders by August 15. The ordinance takes effect on the first billing cycle after September 1. Property owners who qualify for the city’s low-income discount program can apply through the existing online portal before the new rates appear on bills.
Finance Department records show the budget totals $1.05 billion in expenditures, with 38 percent directed to enterprise funds that cover water, wastewater and solid-waste operations. The council will hold a follow-up workshop on capital projects in October.