Reporting by Kirsten Crow, Corpus Christi Caller Times
Corpus Christi utility bills, namely water and wastewater, will be higher next year for the average household in the city, along with many other customers, should the City Council next week solidify its vote.
On an initial pass, the council on July 21 voted 8-1 to approve new water and wastewater rates, with Mayor Paulette Guajardo voting in dissent on both.
New rates would increase the water bills for households using 6,000 gallons of water per month by $2.48, rising from $42.07 to $44.55.
Wastewater services would also increase. As an example, for typical households with a 5,000-gallon winter quarter average and 5/8-inch meters, bills would tick up by $1.87 per month, bumping current bills of $63.52 up to $65.39.
Increased rates approved by the council would affect many customers of those services, including commercial businesses and industrial companies, on different scales.
What drives the rates in Corpus Christi utility bills
Both wastewater and water increases are driven, in part, by debt payments, staff has said.
Water rate increases are also attributable, in part, to new water supply projects and operating costs, officials have said.
A second vote to finalize the decision is scheduled for July 28.
Kirsten Crow covers city government and water news. Have a story idea? Contact her at kirsten.crow@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times.
Related: Here’s a breakdown of all of Corpus Christi’s water supply projects
