Clovis plans to raise annual water rates soon, citing rising inflation costs
Clovis plans to increase city water rates by an average of 23% annually over three consecutive years starting in January 2027.
The proposed increase aims to offset rising inflation and operational costs, and fund water infrastructure upgrades, staff told the Clovis City Council on Monday.
If the proposed rate goes into effect, most households will see a rise in their monthly water bills ranging from $6 to $15, depending on the water usage.
Currently, Clovis implements a three-tier pricing system for residential use of water. The usage below 23,000 gallons per month is charged at $1.13 per thousand gallons. Between 23,000 and 40,000 gallons, the rate is $1.88 per thousand gallons. The rate for households using more than 40,000 gallons is $2.33 per thousand gallons. There are two tiers for non-residential water billing.
The utilities department proposes a volumetric rate of $2.20 per thousand gallons for residential users starting in January 2027. The rate will continue to rise by an average of 23% annually over the next three years. After the initial three-year period, it will be authorized to increase at an escalator of 3% per year, according to the proposal.
The switch from tiered pricing to a flat rate is to comply with state law, staff told the council. Several California rulings have determined tiered pricing to be unreasonable because the cost of providing water does not increase proportionally with usage.
The rate is a preliminary estimate and has not been finalized, said Kevin Tuttle, assistant public utilities director.
Clovis is planning a series of infrastructure upgrades totaling $82.8 million, such as the construction of Loma Vista Recharge Basin, the conversion of advanced meter equipments, and building a new storage reservoir. The water rate increases will help to fund the user share of these improvements, staff told the council.
The last significant water pricing adjustment in Clovis occurred in 2009, with rates increasing by 35% in the first year, 15% in the second year, and 5% in the third year, according to Nick Torstensen, deputy public utilities director. In 2016, Clovis conducted a water rate study, reducing the number of tiered rates from four to three and introducing drought fees.
Therefore, Clovis residents have historically had one of the lowest water service rates in the region. The average monthly water bill for Clovis residents is currently $28, compared to $46 in Fresno, $59 in Madera, and as high as $84 in Stockton, according to the utilities department.
With the proposed rate taking effect, Clovis’s water bills will remain in the lower range, according to the staff report. The projected average water bill will be $41 in 2027, $51 in 2028, and $63 in 2029.
The proposal is not finalized. Staff will continue to gather feedback and the city will hold public hearings in spring of 2026.
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 11:52 AM.
