Pleasanton's Proposed Water Rate Plan Could Raise Bills For Thousands

PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton City Council will vote Tuesday on a series of water and sewer rate adjustments that would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. The recommendations include a new four-year schedule for potable and recycled water rates, drought surcharge rates, updated connection fees for new developments, and an annual Consumer Price Index increase for sewer rates.

City staff and a Water Rate Study from a water resources consulting firm recommend a uniform, consumption-based structure for water usage charges. Currently, Pleasanton ruses a tiered system in which the price per unit increases with usage. Under the new system, customers will pay the same per-unit price, or $8.93 per 100 cubic feet, or about 748 gallons.

The move will hit low water users hard. Under the old system, low users paid as low as $2 to $3 per ccf. A household in the 10th percentile of usage currently pays about $54.76 every two months, according to city staff estimates. Under the new structure, they would pay $86.83 in 2026, and the rate keeps rising to $116.55 by 2029, representing a 112% increase.

A high-usage household would see their bills rise by about 34 percent.

The council will also consider eliminating the city’s senior discount, which currently offers 20% off water and sewer charges for residents 65 and older, regardless of income, a move estimated to save the city up to $400,000. A low-income discount would remain.

Staff say the new structure is necessary to comply with laws like Proposition 218 that require that what customers pay must closely reflect what it costs the city to provide. The hike will also help fund $73 million in improvements over the next five years, which is also financed by up to $35 million in bonds.

The meeting will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Pleasanton Civic Center. See here for more information, and here for the full agenda.

SEE ALSO:

• Pleasanton To Consider Future Water Rate Hikes
• Pleasanton City Council Approves Plan Likely To Raise Water Rates