Southlake Water Utilities Announces Utility Rate Changes to Take Effect October 2019

Water, sewer, garbage and recycling rate changes will go into effect on October 1, 2019, for all Southlake Water Utilities customers.  Residents will notice the increase on November bills.

Water Rate Change

This summer, the City of Fort Worth voted to decrease its wholesale water costs. As a result, the decrease will be passed on to Southlake customers. Southlake Water Utilities is a financially self-sustaining utility similar to electric and natural gas companies, where price changes to the utility are passed on to consumers.

The City of Fort Worth is Southlake’s wholesale water provider.  Fort Worth’s pass-through rate will decrease water rate amounts by 2%.

Sewer Rate Change

This year, the Trinity River Authority (TRA) Board of Directors voted to approve rate increases for sewer treatment at both Denton Creek and Central Regional wastewater plants. As a result, Southlake Water Utilities will be passing the 7% increase on to Southlake customers. The Trinity River Authority supplies sewer treatment to 98% of Tarrant County, including, Southlake.

The maximum residential sewer charge Southlake customers will see is $73.30 per month. This will take effect on October 1, 2019, and the increase will be reflected on the November billing statements.

Refuse Rate Change

In September, City Council approved the rate increase as part of the contract with Republic Waste Services of Texas, Ltd. contract renewal for waste and recycling services in Southlake.

Residential collections will increase by $1.39 on October 1, 2019. The decline in recycling commodities market is the largest driver of this rate change. Commercial collections and roll-off rates will also increase by three percent on October 1 in accordance with the contract.

Reminder, the effective date of increase for Southlake customers will begin October 1, 2019. Customers will see the changes reflected on their November bill.