New Year, Higher Water Bills: Rohnert Park Rates On The Rise

ROHNERT PARK-COTATI, CA — Rohnert Park residents will be seeing a series of new water-rates in the new year that city officials say are needed to keep up with rising costs and necessary infrastructure upgrades.

Rohnert Park customers can expect to pay on average $9.10 more per month over time on their household water bills beginning Jan. 1.

Officials said the annual increases are needed to pay for replacing aging pipes, upgrading wells and tanks, and modernizing customer meters.

Under the schedule, rates would rise 14 percent in 2026, followed by annual adjustments of 9 percent in 2027, 7 percent in 2028, and 6 percent in 2029.

Water rates in Rohnert Park are reviewed every three to five years to ensure the city can continue providing safe and reliable service while maintaining its water system, according to officials.

City officials said that since the last rate study in 2021, costs have risen faster than expected due drought restrictions, inflation, increasing wholesale water prices, and the need for major infrastructure projects.

Rohnert Park was buying about 60 percent of its water from Sonoma Water, whose rates have gone up substantially in recent years.

Upcoming projects include replacing aging pipes, upgrading wells and tanks, and modernizing customer meters.

The city has applied for approximately $8 million in FEMA funding for Well Tank Site improvements. If the grant is awarded, the city may review rates to determine if a reduction is possible.