Politics
Richmond Mayor Implements Revised Utility Fee Schedule, Altering Household Monthly Costs
The schedule changes how the city calculates water and sewer charges for Richmond households beginning in the next billing cycle.
How we reported this
The Richmond mayor's office has directed city departments to apply a revised utility fee schedule that recalculates water and sewer charges for residential accounts. The change affects every household connected to city services in Richmond and takes effect with the August 2026 billing statements.
City budget papers released last month show utility revenue must cover fixed infrastructure expenses that rose after 2024 maintenance contracts were renewed. Local government officials say the recalculation aligns fees with actual delivery costs rather than previous flat-rate assumptions.
Changes to Resident Bills
Under the schedule, households using under 4,000 gallons per month will see their base charge adjusted by a set multiplier listed in the city code amendment. A family in the North Side that previously paid a flat $42 for water and sewer now receives a bill calculated on actual volume plus the updated base rate. Renters in multi-unit buildings receive prorated statements through their property managers.
City records indicate that 62 percent of Richmond residential accounts fall into the lowest usage tier. The recalculation therefore touches the majority of single-family homes and apartment units in the city limits.
Next Steps for Households
Residents can review their new rate on the city website utility portal after July 15. The Department of Public Utilities will mail printed notices to accounts that lack email addresses on file. Applications for the existing low-income discount program remain open through the same office and use the same eligibility criteria as last year.
City council is scheduled to receive a six-month usage report in January 2027 that will document actual revenue collected under the revised schedule.