Community Government
City Council approves water, sewer and stormwater rate increases to begin on March 1
Gig Harborites can expect to see changes in their utility bills starting next year after the Gig Harbor City Council approved a rate increase at its Nov. 10 meeting. Councilmember Emily Stone cast the sole “no” vote.
The city has deliberated increasing rates for all three utilities — water, sewer, and stormwater — since July. The increases will help pay for necessary capital improvements and allow the city to keep up with increases in cost of services. A new, tiered water rate structure will allow residents who use less water to see a reduction in their bills and is meant to encourage water conservation.
Rate increase coming in March
The rate increase was planned to go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. But at the council’s last meeting, Gig Harbor resident Lynn Stevenson told the council that she was concerned that few residents knew about the proposed increases. Because of this, she also wondered whether the rate increases had to take place on the first of the year.
No council member seconded a motion to vote on the increase at that meeting.
On Nov. 10, Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm told council members that staff changed the start date of the rate increases to March 1, 2026, because of the question regarding public awareness. In subsequent years, rates will increase on Jan. 1.
Langhelm also detailed how much water customers could expect their bills to change — mostly, he said, for the better. For instance, he said, displaying a water use rate graph, “we had a lot of questions at the last council meeting about what does 10 CCF [centum cubic feet] get you? Does it get you one long teenager shower? No, it gets you more than that.”
He showed an example of a single-family residence using 8 CCF. For that family, the new rates will decrease the water bill by a projected 12%. However, he said, data indicates the average single-family residence uses 10 CCF, minus anyone watering their yards.
“So,” he continued, “most people … even if you use a little over 10 CCF, you’ll still see a decrease in your … water rate for 2026, starting March 1.”
From a city of Gig Harbor presentation
Langhelm displayed a more detailed slide that made the water rate increases clearer, and explained how much each percentage increase would add over time.
From a city of Gig Harbor presentation
Informing rate payers
He also said that the city will produce a one-page explanation and an updated webpage about the utility rate billing increases. Residents may also receive a postcard with a QR code that will direct them to the webpage.
“We have given ourselves a little bit more leeway … to get the word out and have people be able to ask their questions about their new bill before it comes in the mail,” Langhelm said. “That’s also good for operations because we have two people that answer the phone on utility billing and it would, if we were not doing this proactive communication that was suggested by council last time … overwhelm our staff.”
