Summary
Fort Worth is raising water and sewer impact fees on new development in two phases (October 2025 and October 2026), and Richland Hills must mirror the rates in its own ordinance — a combined fee for a typical 3/4-inch meter climbs from $8,256 to $8,742 next October. Existing residents aren't affected unless they add a meter, and the city determined it's not worth a ~$150,000 study to add local fees on top.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 26, 2026.
Impact analysis
New connections pay more — a standard 3/4-inch meter's combined fee rises to $8,742 by October 2026 — but existing residents are untouched.
The city avoids spending $150,000 on a study for a mostly built-out town; developers and new builders bear the pass-through cost.
Developers and anyone adding a new or larger water meter — including ADUs and some irrigation connections — face higher fees.
Mentions & discussions (8)
City Council - Oct 26, 2026
Proposed rate adjustments for water and wastewater service in fiscal year 2027 were up for discussion, including how much customer bills would change and when the new rates would take effect.
City Council - Sep 14, 2026
The council was scheduled to discuss utility rate changes for next fiscal year and a draft update to the city's fee schedule — both could affect household bills and the cost of city services.
City Council - Aug 17, 2026
Fort Worth is raising wholesale water prices 15% and sewer 18%, with TRA adding just over 3% — costs that will pass through to every wholesale customer city. Staff may absorb some with cash reserves rather than raising local rates, and a future utility rate study will be brought to council.
City Council - Jul 27, 2026
Fort Worth is raising the city's water purchase cost 15% and wastewater 18%. Staff will bring back a rate ordinance update so the utility fund doesn't run a deficit — expect residents to see changes on their water bills.
City Council - Apr 27, 2026
Instead of tweaking fees piecemeal, staff will audit every city fee against actual cost of service and bring one ordinance with the October budget — fixing errors in a flawed earlier rate ordinance along the way.
City Council - Mar 23, 2026
Fort Worth is raising water and sewer impact fees on new development in two phases (October 2025 and October 2026), and Richland Hills must mirror the rates in its own ordinance — a combined fee for a typical 3/4-inch meter climbs from $8,256 to $8,742 next October. Existing residents aren't affected unless they add a meter, and the city determined it's not worth a ~$150,000 study to add local fees on top.
City Council - Mar 9, 2026
The council was to discuss a study of water and wastewater rates, which could shape future utility bills for every household and business in the city.
City Council - Feb 9, 2026
Water and wastewater bills are going up as step two of a four-year rate plan — about 5% on base fees and a 38.7% jump in the wastewater volume rate over 2,000 gallons. Heavy water users feel it most, but the city says the average bill rises only a few percent and winter averaging shields summer yard watering.
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