A 20-year strategic plan drove the Clark Public Utilities (CPU) Board of Commissioners to approve the first water rate increase since 2012 during a board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
The rate increases will hit in 2026 and again in 2027. CPU, a nonprofit public utility district, provides water at cost to over 41,000 homes and businesses in areas of Clark County.
“Clark Public Utilities water rates are the lowest among similarly sized systems in the region and will remain among the lowest in the county and the region for both residential and commercial customers, even after both increases are in place,” CPU Communications Manager Dameon Pesanti stated in an email. “After both rate increases are in effect in 2027, the residential base rate will increase by $9.95 per month.”
After adjustments in both 2026 and 2027 are in effect, monthly bills are projected to increase by $4 to $13 for residential customers and by $3 to $50 for non-residential customers, a news release from the utility district stated. Residential rates, which include single- and multi-family services, base charges will increase from the current rate of $9 per month up to $16.20 in 2026 and will increase to $18.95 in 2027. Tier 1 consumption rates per cubic foot will decrease from $0.0185 to $0.018 in 2026 and then rise to $0.019 in 2027.
The board approved the changes 2-1, with Commissioners Sherry Erickson and Nancy Barnes voting yes and Commissioner Jane Van Dyke voting in opposition.
For non-residential rates, which include commercial, industrial and municipal customers, base
charges will increase from the current rate of $16.10 per month to $19.32 in 2026 and $23.18 in
2027, the release added. The current non-residential tiered consumption rate structure will be replaced with flat seasonal rates. Consumption rates per cubic foot for the peak season of June through September will be $0.032 in 2026 and $0.035 in 2027. Rates for the off-peak season of October through May will be $0.025 in 2026 and $0.0275 in 2027. The board approved these changes unanimously.
Over the next four years, Clark Public Utilities will invest $146.6 million to expand and
modernize the water utility system from source to meter, the release stated. By 2029, daily water production capacity will increase by 6.2 million gallons, and 3.88 million gallons of water storage capacity will be added.
“Over the last decade, significant growth and development has occurred in the Clark Public Utilities water service territory,” Pesanti stated. “Between 2014 and 2024, system water sales increased by nearly 200 million cubic feet, reaching about 660 million cubic feet annually.”
Pesanti added that trend is projected to continue over the next two decades.
“Reliable, clean drinking water service is essential for human health, and having a robust water utility system in place to deliver it with capacity for new connections is essential for future growth and development in Clark County’s economy,” Pesanti stated. “To meet future demand, a system planning process identified significant capital investments needed across the water system grid to expand production and delivery, replace aging infrastructure and increase the supply of treated water. A cost-of-service analysis resulted in recommended customer rate changes to support the capital investments required to meet long-term demand growth projections. Investing in increased capacity will ensure our system is prepared to meet current and future water customer needs.”
The utility’s water system is groundwater sourced, which makes conservation in drier months critical. Expanding the water system and increasing capacity will ensure CPU is able to continue delivering clean, safe and reliable drinking water without interruption, Pesanti stated.
However, even when the infrastructure projects are finished, a need to conserve water usage will still be crucial.
“As the dry season gets longer and warmer, customers steadily draw higher amounts of water for longer periods of time — in addition to new developments that are coming online regularly,” Pesanti stated. “That demand can quickly draw down reservoirs of treated water and puts excess strain on the water lines, pumps. That strain can lead to more frequent interruptions and broken infrastructure that must be replaced at the ratepayer’s expense.”
Everyone should conserve water as much as possible, Pesanti added. Conserving water is the most immediate way users can lower their water bills and help preserve the drinking water supply, he said.
The Department of Ecology, the EPA WaterSense program and the Natural Resources Defense Council all have helpful online guides for conservation and choosing water-saving products and appliances.
“Identifying and fixing leaks is extremely important for lowering high water bills and preserving the supply,” Pesanti stated. “If customers need advice or suggestions for identifying them, they can call the water utility at 360-992-8022.”
