The Arlington City Council has officially finalized adjustments to local utility costs to ensure the long-term reliability and exceptional quality of city services. The new Arlington water and sewer rates, along with updated refuse collection fees, will officially take effect on October 1, 2026.
Approved during the September 15 council meeting, these comprehensive adjustments are designed to maintain high service standards across a vast municipal network. By investing in proactive infrastructure maintenance and essential water procurement, Arlington aims to continue delivering some of the safest and most cost-effective utility services in North Texas.
Infrastructure Investments and the FY2027 Budget
The sheer scale of the city’s utility network necessitates consistent, strategic funding. Currently, local water utilities are responsible for the operation of two major water treatment plants, a state-of-the-art water laboratory, 10 elevated storage tanks, and nearly 3,000 miles of public water distribution and sanitary sewer mains.
To adequately manage and optimize this robust network, the department’s budget for Fiscal Year 2027 includes $251,096,436 in total spending. Notable cost increases driving the upcoming utility adjustments include:
- $2,752,263 allocated for raw water purchases from the Tarrant Regional Water District.
- $3,174,589 designated for wastewater treatment services managed by the Trinity River Authority.
- $6,090,000 dedicated specifically to the repair and replacement of aging components within both the water and wastewater systems.
Community Impact: Residential and Commercial Rates
While utility adjustments are a routine aspect of municipal growth, understanding the precise financial impact helps residents and business owners prepare. Rates for FY2027 vary strictly according to customer class and volumetric usage levels.
For the average residential customer—calculated based on the use of 8,000 gallons of water and 4,000 gallons of wastewater per month—the adjustment will result in a monthly increase of $5.10, representing a 6.3 percent change.
Commercial customers will also see adjusted operational costs. An average commercial facility utilizing 50,000 gallons of water and 50,000 gallons of wastewater per month will experience a 7.89 percent increase, equivalent to $65.64 monthly.
Additionally, updated rates for residential refuse and recycling collection services will also take effect on October 1, 2026. The monthly charge for household trash and recycling collection will experience a slight increase from $22.71 to $23.49.
Local Guidance for Water Conservation and Cost Mitigation
The local utility rate structure is highly incentivized to reward water conservation. Currently, approximately 82 percent of Arlington residential customers use less than 10,000 gallons of water each month.
For the upcoming fiscal year, a residential customer using 10,000 gallons or less per month will pay a maximum of $3.81 per 1,000 gallons of water. Conversely, inefficient usage is heavily penalized to protect the water supply. If a household exceeds 16,000 gallons in a single month, their rate jumps significantly to $9.10 per 1,000 gallons for all water consumed past that threshold.
Residents are encouraged to utilize available technology to offset the upcoming changes. Customers equipped with remote read meters can easily monitor their hourly water consumption and subscribe to high-usage alerts by visiting ArlingtonTX.gov/KnowYourH2O or by downloading the official water utility mobile app from Google Play or the App Store. Furthermore, households facing financial hardship can explore available assistance programs at ArlingtonTX.gov/CareandShare.
For more local updates, comprehensive city service coverage, and municipal news, visit Arlington Network.
