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Ventura, Calif.- On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Public Hearing for Proposed Water and Wastewater Rates, City Council unanimously approved five-year water and wastewater rate increases needed to maintain reliable water and wastewater service. The new rates will take effect July 1, 2026. Customers can use Ventura Water's online bill calculator to estimate individual impacts to their water and wastewater bill.
Earlier this year, independent financial and rate experts completed an updated cost-of-service study with the Water Commission and Ventura Water staff to analyze system needs and develop rates that allow Ventura Water to provide reliable service and address aging infrastructure. In October, the City of Ventura mailed Proposition 218 notices to all Ventura Water customers and property owners detailing the proposed rates.
To reduce the impact on ratepayers, Ventura Water secured more than $110 million in grants and $170 million in low-interest loans for major projects like VenturaWaterPure, the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Project, and the State Water Interconnection Project. The new rates will support these vital capital improvement projects that help secure a reliable, drought-proof water supply for the future, and continue to fund daily operation and maintenance of the city's existing water and wastewater systems amidst rising industry costs.
"Ventura Water's goal since the start of the rates process has been to provide transparent and factual information to our customers, so they can understand the proposed rate adjustments and why they are so essential," said Gina Dorrington, Ventura Water General Manager.
Over the past three months, Ventura Water has provided clear and accessible information to help customers understand the proposed rate adjustments and learn more about the necessary infrastructure improvements the rates support. Staff delivered thirteen presentations to community councils and neighborhood groups, hosted two public tours of the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility, and offered a Virtual Community Open House. These engagement opportunities allowed residents to speak directly with Ventura Water staff, understand details about the proposed rate adjustments, and learn more about planned infrastructure improvements to the water and wastewater systems.
Additionally, Ventura Water performed extensive digital outreach, including frequent updates on social media in English and Spanish, directing customers to https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Rates for additional information.
According to state law, if a majority of customers or parcel owners submit a written protest within the 45-day review period, rate increases cannot be adopted. At the close of Tuesday's Public Hearing, a total of 1,665 protests were received in opposition to water service increases and 1,631 for wastewater service increases, with 13,783 needed to constitute a majority protest for water service and water shortage rates and 12,859 for wastewater service.
For more information, including the full approved rate tables and a bill calculator tool, visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Rates.
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