{"id":6144,"date":"2026-05-08T11:05:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T15:05:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serviceauthority.org\/?p=6144"},"modified":"2026-05-08T11:11:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T15:11:30","slug":"why-is-my-water-bill-going-up-understanding-the-2026-acsa-water-rate-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serviceauthority.org\/es\/why-is-my-water-bill-going-up-understanding-the-2026-acsa-water-rate-increase\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is My Water Bill Going Up? Understanding the 2026 ACSA Water Rate Increase"},"content":{"rendered":"

What Affects the Cost of Water in Charlottesville and Albemarle County<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Why Are Water Rates Increasing in Albemarle County?<\/strong> Quick Answer: <\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

The ACSA water rate increase is driven by rising regional treatment costs and continued water infrastructure investment. These updates fund essential water system upgrades, helping ensure safe, reliable water service across Albemarle County. For most customers, this year\u2019s proposed rate increases will result in an increase of about $7 per month to your water bill.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t think about your water unless something changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one of the few things in your home that just works. You turn on the tap, and it\u2019s there \u2014 clean, safe and reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That kind of reliability doesn\u2019t happen by accident. It also doesn\u2019t maintain itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind the scenes, it takes ongoing water infrastructure investment to keep our systems running smoothly and plan for the future in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. These water and sewer costs are shared across the community, including by the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA), which works to manage them carefully over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning July 1, 2026, the proposed ACSA water rate increase<\/a> will take effect to support that long-term reliability. If you\u2019re wondering how this will affect your monthly bill, you\u2019re not alone. Read on for a clear look at the proposed changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
View Fiscal Year 2027 Rates<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Is the 2026 ACSA Water Rate Increase?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the average residential customer, proposed local water rates will increase by about 9.4% or roughly $7 more per month \u2014 about 24 cents per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ACSA has worked to limit the impact where possible while still supporting critical water system upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority Impacts Local Water Rates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A significant portion of the ACSA\u2019s costs \u2014 about 67% \u2014 comes from our regional partner, the Autoridad de Agua y Alcantarillado de Rivanna (RWSA)<\/a>, which manages the RWSA water system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the RWSA invests in major water system upgrades, costs are increasing. While the ACSA works to absorb and manage as much of these increases as possible, a portion must still be reflected in local water rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"One
One of RWSA\u2019s treatment facilities.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What your water bill pays for is largely infrastructure: the systems that deliver clean water to your home and safely carry it away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next five years, more than $604 million is being invested in regional water infrastructure. Curious about what\u2019s happening across the community? You can explore the 2027 Capital Improvement Program Projects<\/a> on our website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improvements include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n