Proposed Water Rate Community Meeting - October 24, 2026

MyGlendale’s Proposed Water Rate Community Meeting was held October 24, 2026, to explain Glendale Water & Power’s proposed water-rate adjustments before the City Council hearing. Staff proposed investing about $100 million in water infrastructure and supply over five years, including approximately $30 million for aging pipeline replacement, $10 million for fire-protection upgrades, and just over $42 million for facilities such as pump stations, tanks, reservoirs, and backup generators. Other planned work includes replacing meters and studying local water-supply options. Staff also described a broader, approximately $900 million, 20-year water master plan and a roughly $26 million smart-meter project. The proposed annual revenue adjustments are 3% in 2027, 11% in 2028, 10% in 2029 and 2030, and 7% in 2031. No contract awards, vendor selections, or spending votes occurred at this informational meeting.

Discussion covered the need to address aging infrastructure, rising operating costs, water-rate impacts across customer classes, pump-zone charges, drought surcharges, reserves, and potential state or federal grant funding. Staff said the proposed rates are intended to support water-system expenses and that the drought surcharge would end in 2027 if the proposed rates are approved. The Proposition 218 public hearing was scheduled to open November 3, with staff indicating it may continue to November 10; residents may submit written protests under the required process. The proposal remained subject to Council consideration, with no decision made at the meeting.