Richardson, TX
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Water and Wastewater Rate Plan
The City of Richardson is reviewing proposed water and wastewater rate changes as part of the FY 2026-27 budget process.
If adopted, the new rates would take effect Oct. 1, 2026 and first appear on November 2026 utility bills.
The proposed plan is designed to support reliable service, help fund needed infrastructure improvements and better align monthly base charges with meter size and system demand.
Where Richardson stands today
Richardson water customers have benefited from some of the lowest base utility charges in North Texas with Richardson’s rates for water and wastewater service among the lowest in the region.
Base charges help fund the infrastructure that keeps water flowing and wastewater treated by maintaining pipes, pump stations, treatment capacity, and system maintenance.
A gradual increase would keep rates competitive while helping ensure the water and wastewater systems our community relies on remain well-maintained for the future.
| Service | Richardson Base Charge | Regional (NTMWD) Average |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $8.00/month | $24.17/month |
| Wastewater | $8.00/month | $30.62/month |
Timeline
| Date/Period | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | Rate plan reviewed as part of FY 2026-27 budget development |
| Budget adoption | City Council considers final approval |
| Oct. 1, 2026 | New rates take effect, if adopted |
| November 2026 | Customers begin seeing new rates on utility bills |
| 2027-2030 | Additional phased adjustments under the five-year plan |
- Applies To: Water and wastewater customers
- Senior Discount: Qualifying senior accounts with 3/4-inch and 1-inch meters would keep the current $8 monthly base charge for water and wastewater service.
Why Rates Are Being Reviewed
Richardson’s water and wastewater system must keep pace with increasing costs and long-term infrastructure needs. The proposed rate plan responds to:
- Rising wholesale water costs from the North Texas Municipal Water District
- Increased utility operating costs
- The need to maintain and replace aging water and wastewater infrastructure
- Capital improvements needed to support long-term system reliability
The goal is to maintain reliable service while gradually moving toward a rate structure that better reflects the cost of serving different customer types.
What Is Changing
The proposed plan would adjust both monthly base charges and volume rates.
Today, Richardson charges the same $8 monthly base charge for all meter sizes. Under the proposed structure, base charges would be tied to meter size. Smaller residential meters would continue to have lower base charges, while larger meters would pay more because they represent greater potential demand on the system.
For most residential customers with a 3/4-inch meter, the monthly base charge would increase from $8 to $9.60 in the first year. The proposed five-year plan would gradually increase that base charge to $20 by 2030.
Senior Discount
A key part of the proposed rate plan is a senior discount designed to limit impacts for qualifying older residents.
Under the plan, senior customers age 65 and older with standard residential 3/4-inch or 1-inch meters would continue to pay the current $8 monthly base charge for both water and wastewater service.
The senior base charge would remain frozen at that level under the current plan, while volume rates would adjust consistent with residential rates.
Senior accounts with meters larger than 1 inch would be billed using the standard base charge for that meter size.
Customers who have questions about whether the senior discount applies to their account may contact Utility Customer Service at 972-744-4120 or by e-mailing Water Customer Service at AskRichardsoncustomerservice@cor.gov.
Customers who do not currently receive the discount may apply at www.cor.net/departments/water-customer-service/discounts by clicking the application link and completing the form for the senior water/wastewater and solid waste discounts.
Proposed FY 2026-27 Monthly Base Charges
| Meter Size | Proposed Monthly Base Charge |
|---|---|
| 3/4-inch Senior | $8.00 |
| 1-inch Senior | $8.00 |
| 3/4-inch | $9.60 |
| 1-inch | $13.08 |
| 1 1/2-inch | $19.72 |
| 2-inch | $27.72 |
| 3-inch | $46.40 |
| 4-inch | $73.08 |
| 6-inch | $139.72 |
| 8-inch | $219.72 |
| 10-inch | $313.08 |
Proposed FY 2026-27 Water Volume Rates
| Tier | Usage | Proposed Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0-11,000 gallons | $8.08 |
| Tier 2 | 11,001-20,000 gallons | $8.75 |
| Tier 3 | 20,001-40,000 gallons | $9.12 |
| Tier 4 | 40,001-60,000 gallons | $10.61 |
| Tier 5 | 60,001+ gallons | $12.20 |
Proposed FY 2026-27 Wastewater Volume Rates
| Tier | Usage | Proposed Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0-11,000 gallons | $6.19 |
| Tier 2 | 11,001-20,000 gallons | $12.28 |
Commercial and Large-Meter Customers
The proposed structure uses meter equivalency, which means monthly base charges are based on meter size.
Larger meters can place greater demand on the system, and the proposed structure better aligns those base charges with the capacity available to serve those accounts.
Commercial, industrial, institutional and large-meter customers are encouraged to review the proposed rate tables and contact the City with account-specific questions.
Questions
For questions about utility bills or water service, contact City of Richardson Utility Customer Service at 972-744-4120, AskRichardsonCustomerService@cor.gov or www.cor.net/WaterRateChange.
Qualifying senior customers may apply for senior discounts at www.cor.net/departments/water-customer-service/discounts. Customers who already receive the senior solid waste discount do not need to apply separately for the water/wastewater discount and will be automatically enrolled in October.