New water rate plan has lower costs than expected for Clovis residents
Clovis is finalizing a plan to increase the water rates starting January 2027, with lower rates than what a prior plan called for to offset inflation and infrastructure costs.
The updated plan presented to the City Council on Monday would increase the water rate by 21%, annually, in calendar years 2027 and 2028, another 18% in the first half of 2029, and an additional 3% effective July 1, 2029.
Most families will see a water bill increase ranging from $6.44 to $13.76 per month, city officials told council members.
In a November presentation, city staff recommended enacting a 23% rate hike for three consecutive years.
“In meeting with the public and hearing some of the feedback, 23% hurts, especially 23% three times in a row,” said Kevin Tuttle, assistant public utilities director. “We were able to go back and bring down those numbers. So we considered that a little bit of a win.”
Currently, Clovis is implementing a fixed water service charge per unit, plus a three-tier water pricing system for residents and a two-tier rate for non-residential users, which means the heavier the usage, the more expensive the cost per thousand gallons of water. However, several California rulings have determined tiered pricing to be unreasonable because the cost of providing water does not increase proportionally with usage.
The city proposes to implement a flat volume rate of $2.02 per thousand gallons of water for both residential and non-residential users starting 2027, no matter how much water is consumed. This rate will increase to $2.44 in 2028 and 2.88 in 2029, according to city documents.
Clovis is also proposing to change the fixed service charge to a pricing that would vary by meter size. Currently, most households in Clovis see a $27.71 service fee on the bill. This fee will be reduced to $22.30 when the new water rates take effect.
Under the new plan, service charges are calculated based on water meter size, which dictates pipe size, required flow rates, and fixture units to ensure adequate water pressure and supply. For most of the residential units that are equipped with 5/8, 3/4, or 1-inch water meters, the service charge will be $22.30 per bimonthly bill.
For larger homeowners, multi-family units, or commercial properties that have larger water meters, the service charge will range from $29.66 for a 1 1/2 inches meter to $2,260.71 for a 10-inch meter per bill.
This will be the first water rate increase since 2009, Tuttle said. Prior to that, the last adjustment dates back to 1991.
City officials cited inflation, legal changes, and infrastructure costs as the factors leading to the water rate adjustment.
“At our water treatment plant, the filters we brought in 2021 were approximately $1,500 each. We recently got quotes, and they were $2,800,” Tuttle said. “A standard work truck we’ve seen that we used to purchase in 2021 for around $29,000 and just a couple of months ago, it’s costing $49,000.”
The city will continue to conduct community outreach and mail out written notices, city officials said. The next public hearing is scheduled on April 13, 2026.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 4:44 PM.
