FAQs
Lakewood: about $5/month
Federal Heights: $3.15/month
Erie: $12.82/month
Colorado Springs: $8/month
Why do water rates need to increase?
Edgewater’s water rates were set in 2023, with modest annual increases through 2026. Since then, the cost of wholesale water, operations, and maintenance has risen faster than expected. At the same time, the City has identified aging mains, valves, and hydrants that need replacement to avoid service disruptions and costly emergency repairs.
To keep the system reliable, the Water Fund has borrowed from the City’s general budget to cover shortfalls, the general fund cannot continue to cover this. Adjusting rates will help the utility stand on its own and ensure we can continue providing safe, reliable service without relying on other City funds. For detailed information read the news article Where Your Water Bill Goes & Future Needs on this site.
What are the current water and storm water rates?
Currently the city does not charge a stormwater fee, and the City does not have identified funding for stormwater projects. Water rates established in 2023 are shown below:
| Volume (gallons) | March 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | March 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0—5,000 | $ 5.27 | $ 5.59 | $ 5.93 | $ 6.29 |
| 5,001—15,000 | $ 6.58 | $ 6.97 | $ 7.39 | $ 7.83 |
| > 15,000 | $ 8.89 | $ 9.42 | $ 9.99 | $ 10.59 |
| Meter Line Size | March 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 | March 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4" | $ 9.27 | $ 9.55 | $ 9.84 | $ 10.14 |
| 1" | $ 18.54 | $ 19.10 | $ 19.67 | $ 20.26 |
| 1 1/2" | $ 37.08 | $ 38.19 | $ 39.34 | $ 40.52 |
| 2" | $ 74.16 | $ 76.38 | $ 78.67 | $ 81.03 |
| 3" | $148.32 | $ 152.77 | $157.35 | $162.07 |
| 4" | $296.65 | $ 305.54 | $314.71 | $324.15 |
How will the proposed increase affect my bill?
After evaluating feedback from the survey and open house, staff will prepare rate options for City Council to consider in February. When options are developed, information will be posted to help property owners understand the proposed changes. At this time, the City is collecting feedback.
What happens if we don’t replace old pipes and valves?
Many pipes in our water system were installed between the 1950s and 1980s. Older pipes are more likely to break, causing service outages, property damage and emergency repairs. Planned replacements can be coordinated with street resurfacing, saving money and reducing disruption. Delaying replacements increases the risk of costly emergencies. Ensuring valves are replaced also helps isolate the breaks to reduce impacts to residents.
Are my rates paying for anything other than water and sewer?
No. Edgewater’s water utility rates pay for buying water from Denver Water, while sewer rates pay for processing sanitation waste by Metro Water Recovery as well as operating and maintaining the distribution system. They do not fund other City services. There is currently no stormwater fee.
Will the City adopt a stormwater fee?
The City is asking residents whether a monthly stormwater fee should be created to fund drainage projects and flood prevention. No decision has been made. Feedback from public engagement will help guide the City in making a decision in the future.
Why a stormwater fee?
Edgewater’s storm sewer pipes and inlets are aging, with replacements expected to cost about $17 million over the next few decades. Right now, there’s no dedicated stormwater fund, so repairs were paid out of the sanitary sewer account. The sanitary sewer has its own needs and Edgewater needs to ensure there is funding to expand and maintain our storm sewer system.
Other cities already charge stormwater fees:
When will new rates take effect?
City Council plans to review new water and sewer rates when it updates the fee schedule around February 2026. If adopted, new rates would be adjusted on the first utility bill for March mailed in April 2026. Trash, recycling and composting fees will continue to reflect the costs charged by our service providers and will increase by the same percentage increases the city incurs for 2026.