HOUSTON, Texas–Houston residents have reported a rise in their water bills following the Houston City Council’s 2021 decision to approve annual rate increases.
The measure seeks to fund $2 billion in improvements to the city’s water system. The rate adjustments take effect each year on April 1 over a five-year period.
Several residents said their bills have increased within a short period. In 2021, a household using 10,000 gallons of water paid about $112.
This year, the same usage costs around $249. The city uses a tiered rate system that raises the price per gallon after 5,000 gallons each month.
Many residents said their bills doubled or tripled in one billing cycle. Jeana, a Houston resident, said her bill rose from about $55 to more than $100 last month and to $171 this month. She raised concerns for older residents paying around $200.
KPRC 2 News reported receiving more than 200 responses from residents after seeking information on social media. The complaints also came from nearby areas in Harris County.
City officials said no single explanation applies to all cases. They noted that each account requires review but identified common factors that may have caused the increases.