Coppell water/sewer rates to increase

Coppell—The Coppell City Council approved ordinance 2023-1604 to increase the water and sewer rates for the first time in six years beginning with bills received in February. Under this ordinance, the water and sewer rates will rise to cover the increase in the rates charged by the city’s wastewater treatment provider, Trinity River Authority (TRA), and drinking water provider, Dallas Water Utilities (DWU). This rate increase will also fund maintenance and necessary improvements to water and sewer infrastructure.

Over the past many years, the Coppell City Council has worked diligently to mitigate rate increases by installing advanced water meters, updating software, implementing a tiered rate structure, and utilizing winter averaging. With these steps, the city has been able to maintain operations and offer high-quality service without passing increased costs on to customers. Due to the increased amount charged by DWU and TRA to provide water and sewer services, the Water Sewer Enterprise Fund can no longer absorb the rate increases from TRA and DWU.

“One objective of the new water rates is to apply additional DWU costs from seasonal peak needs to irrigation and high-volume residential usage that place high demands on the water system. Therefore, our high-volume water users will see an increase corresponding to their consumption,” Kim Tiehen, director of strategic financial engagement, which includes utility billing, said.

In an effort to encourage water conservation, the city utilizes a tiered rate structure, meaning rates increase with water usage. With the new water and sewer rates, the average residential customer will see their monthly bill increase by $4.61 during the winter months and $5.19 during the summer months. The average commercial customer will see the domestic and irrigation portion of their bill increase by $55 and $162, respectively.

City of Coppell residents who are aged 65 and older or disabled are eligible for a 10 percent discount on their water bill. For more information about how to take advantage of this discount or to learn more about the rate increases, visit coppelltx.gov/rates or call the city of Coppell Utility Billing department at 972-304-3695.