HOUSTON — Houston water bills are going up. The rate hike comes as customers are still waiting on Mayor John Whitmire to announce his water bill improvement plan. Customers can expect to pay on average 9% more. This rate hike was something that was voted on years ago, but it comes at a frustrating time for customers.
We’ve heard complaints about high bills ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. It’s been almost three months since Whitmire took office and there’s been no announcement of the water bill relief plan he keeps talking about.
“I’m disappointed we haven’t already done it, it was not quite ready and I don’t want to do it if it’s not correct," the mayor said.
Wednesday, the City Council did do one small thing -- they voted to do away with an ordinance that held city employees personally responsible for bill discounts that didn’t jive with the department’s rules.
“Nuttiest thing I have run across, well not the most nuttiest, but it’s on the shortlist," Whitmire said.
While customers wait for the bigger plan to be released, they’re getting a letter about a rate hike. It's part of a plan that was passed in 2021 that set into motion five years of increases ending in 2026.
Answers to your questions
Where’s that money going?
The letter explains as Houston grows, it needs more money to make repairs and expand the system.
How soon will you have to pay?
The new rates take effect April 1, but you can expect to see them on your May bill. The 9% number is just an average. It could be more or less, depending on your household.
If the billing system still isn’t fixed, will people have to pay increased rates when their basic bills aren’t accurate?
A department spokesperson told KHOU 11 News that customers will have to continue calling Customer Account Services if they want to dispute their bill. They’re trying to clear up a lot of the red tape around that process. We are still waiting on the details of this plan to understand how it will impact customers.
If you have a problem, Grace Can Help. Call her at (713) 521-HELP or email Grace Can Help at KHOU.com.
If you have a problem and need help, email GraceCanHelp@khou.com, call (713) 521-HELP or fill out the form below.