![2025 Water Rate Adjustment [City of Buckeye]](https://inbuckeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Water-Rate-Adjustment-City-of-Buckeye-1024x768.jpg)
The City of Buckeye is preparing for a possible water and wastewater rate increase, citing the need to maintain infrastructure, manage rising costs, and secure future water supplies.
According to the city’s Water Resources Department, Buckeye currently provides about 3.8 billion gallons of water annually to roughly 33,000 customers and treats more than 6.5 million gallons of wastewater daily. City officials say rates have remained unchanged since 2014, despite inflation, equipment replacement, and water supply challenges.
Why the Rate Change Is Needed
Buckeye operates an extensive water network that includes 540 miles of water lines, 29 wells, and 15 pump stations. Much of this system is aging, and the city says maintenance and upgrades are becoming more expensive. The water utility operates as an enterprise fund, which means it relies solely on customer payments rather than general tax revenue.
City documents note that Buckeye’s groundwater sources are limited and costly to treat. To reduce reliance on groundwater, the city is expanding use of reclaimed water, recharge projects, and purchased water rights in nearby basins — all of which require significant investment.
Citizen Rate Committee Formed
In June 2025, the City Council formed a Citizen Water and Wastewater Rate Committee to review costs and propose new rate structures. The committee includes residents from each council district and alternates. Meetings began July 17 and will continue through October, with recommendations expected before the end of the year.
The city plans public hearings in November to explain the proposed adjustments and gather community feedback. If approved, the new rates are expected to take effect in January 2026.
Balancing Affordability and Sustainability
City leaders emphasize that the increase is necessary to maintain reliable service and prepare for future growth. The new rates would help fund projects that improve water quality, expand capacity, and diversify Buckeye’s long-term water supply.
Officials acknowledge that residents may see higher bills, especially those with high outdoor water use, but note that conservation programs and education efforts are being developed to help customers manage costs.
Looking Ahead
As Buckeye continues to grow, water infrastructure and supply management will remain key priorities. City officials say the 2025 rate adjustment is a critical step toward ensuring that residents and businesses continue to receive safe, reliable water service for decades to come.
Public Outreach Meetings
The City of Buckeye invites all residents to participate in three upcoming public hearings to learn more about the 2025 Water Rate Adjustment. These hearings are an opportunity to understand why the adjustment is necessary to maintain, repair, and modernize the infrastructure that delivers safe, reliable water service to every home.
Each meeting will begin with a presentation from Water Resources Director Terry Lowe, followed by public questions. After the Q&A portion, attendees can meet members of the Water Rate Committee and city staff and review information boards on display.
Meeting Schedule:
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Monday, November 3, 2025: Sun City Festival Fire Station | 6 p.m.
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Wednesday, November 5, 2025: Buckeye City Hall | 6 p.m.
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Thursday, November 6, 2025: Sundance Community Center | 6 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to attend but if that is not possible you can also submit a comment form on the city website.
Learn more about Water and Buckeye from Mayor Orsborn in teh vuideo below and at these links.
📚 Sources
City of Buckeye. (2025). 2025 Water Rate Adjustment. Retrieved from https://www.buckeyeaz.gov/community/water-resources/2025-water-rate-adjustment
4 Responses
They have continously annexed more land and allowed all this development knowing they didn’t have the resources. The lack of rain over the last several years has caused the water table to drop. They are taking away the valuable land used to grow food and turn it into houses and warehouses. Where are the crops to be grown at when aĺ the farm land is turned into houses and warehouses?
The water rates are high enough all ready.
my water is so bad when I do laundry my clothes come out gray doesn’t matter what I use and I won’t use bleach because then my clothes tear apart. I wish I’ve known how bad the water was before. We moved out here because I would have never moved into Buckeye. No great increases these builders and these warehouse is paid for the water not us.
builders should have been required to put soft water loops in all of these houses, knowing that the water is so bad . The city should have to pay now to have a water softener put in the house. It’s too expensive to go and redo the house now.
People are struggling so hey let’s and to it and jack the water bill up. Sounds about right. Does anyone care? It amazes me how it never ends.