Georgetown utility customers might want to brace for a little sticker shock. Starting Oct. 1, 2026, water, wastewater, and stormwater charges are set to climb, pushing the average monthly bill for a household using about 6,000 gallons from $127.35 to roughly $139.65.
What changes and when
Beginning Oct. 1, the city plans to raise water base charges by 4% and bump volumetric water rates by 14%. Wastewater rates are projected to keep rising by roughly 12% every year through 2031. On top of that, residential stormwater fees are slated to jump from $6.50 to $8.50 per month, with another increase expected to bring them to about $10.50 by fiscal year 2029–30. Commercial stormwater customers will see fees climb from roughly $65 to $85, and later to $105. City staff walked through those numbers for the City Council during a May 26 workshop, according to Community Impact.
Why the city says rates must rise
City officials point to a mix of regulatory requirements, fast-growing demand, and major construction work as the reasons behind the hikes. Georgetown has accelerated projects such as the South Lake Water Treatment Plant, a multi-phase expansion expected to roughly double treatment capacity, and says utility revenue is meant to help pay for those upgrades, per the City of Georgetown.
How the city will spend the revenue
According to staff, the higher rates are intended to help cover a $1.76 billion capital improvement program and a $15.7 million capital investment plan through 2031, along with buying new equipment and adding 22 utility staff positions. Public Works Assistant Director April Haughey told reporters the utility "uses filtration systems that are efficient but costly" to meet Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards, in part because Georgetown sits over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, according to Community Impact. The city also pointed to average annual growth of about 4,100 new water connections and 2,500 new wastewater connections as putting extra strain on the system.
Next steps and what to expect
The full package of changes was outlined at the May 26 workshop and is scheduled to kick in Oct. 1, so customers should expect to see the new rates reflected on bills that go out after that date. For detailed rate charts, billing information and any customer-assistance options, the City of Georgetown maintains utility resources and a customer portal on its website.
