Water rates increased for all property owners in Newton

Water bills will be increasing for property owners in Newton after July 1, and the city said it is because of its continued investments toward critical infrastructure upgrades for Newton WaterWorks. The Newton City Council finalized its decision to raise the water rates in a unanimous vote during its June 14 meeting.

According to city documents, by fiscal year 2026, minimum usage residential customers will see their monthly water rates increase from $11.45 to $14.89, an increase of $3.44 per month. Excess usage charges for every 100 cubic feet over 200 cubic feet will increase from $2.87 to $3.73, an increase of 86 cents.

However, rates will increase again in fiscal year 2027. Minimum usage residential customers will see monthly rates increase from $14.89 to $16.37, an increase of $1.48 from the year before. Excess usage charges for every 100 cubic feet over 200 cubic feet will increase from $3.73 to $4.10, an increase of 37 cents.

Many of the components in the water system have either reached or exceeded their intended lifespan, making timely improvements essential in order to avoid service disruptions and higher emergency repair costs. The city stated inflation has also impacted the costs of chemicals, materials, etc. to operate the system.

Water rates have not been adjusted in Newton in more than six years.

Still, the city maintains that operational costs have dramatically risen while the revenues of Newton WaterWorks have remained static.

It is also important to note the city has only maintained control over the Newton WaterWorks for a few years. Following the results of a special election in 2022, it was confirmed the council would assume management of Newton WaterWorks over its board of trustees. The board was then dissolved.

Residential property owners are not the only people affected by these changes. Commercial property owners will see increases, too. Both residential property and commercial property customers living outside city limits will also see their rates increase even more so than those inside city limits.

Since water usage is so dependent on weather conditions, it is difficult to pin down just how much more money the city will see in these next two years.

Newton Utilities Director Jody Rhone told Newton News that based on the rate adjustments for all customers — including direct-billed customers and wholesale customers — the estimated increase in revenue projections is $1.4 million in FY26 (from FY25) and an increase of $604,000 in FY27 (from FY26).