The beginning of 2025 ushered in significant changes to utility rate billing for residents of Wood Village. Two major adjustments were made to enhance fairness and promote responsible water usage.
First, the flat monthly fees for water and sewer services saw a reduction while the previously included volume charge of approximately 3,000 gallons per month was eliminated. This adjustment was particularly beneficial for households that consume less water, as all account holders now only pay for their actual usage, leading to a more equitable billing system.
The second major change involved the introduction of a volume charge for sewer services based on winter averaging. This method calculates average usage from October through March, which is often when water usage is lower. While many apartment complexes and commercial buildings have separate irrigation meters for the summer months, most single-family homes do not. Although water is relatively inexpensive, the cost of treating sewage can be substantial. Implementing winter averaging not only provides irrigation advantages to single-family homes but also raises awareness regarding water and sewer consumption.
As we conclude our first year of this new program, the results align closely with our expectations. Overall water and sewer revenue remained within 1% of projections based on the previous rate structure. Staff engaged in numerous discussions with utility ratepayers to address concerns and clarify details about the winter averaging initiative. For 2026, the only modification to the winter averaging program will be the removal of the highest and lowest months from the averaging process. This change will ensure that users who begin watering early or extend their watering into October, depending on weather conditions, will not be penalized.
In January 2026, the City Council approved a 3.0% rate increase for water, sewer, and street services to account for inflation as indicated by the Consumer Price Index. This annual adjustment is essential for the utility to maintain service standards and to avoid larger rate increases in the future. Stay informed about these changes and how they may affect your utility billing by visiting the city’s website or calling the main line at City Hall.