Town Council Approves 2026 Utility Rate Increases

Gilbert, AZ. - Effective April 1, 2026, all Gilbert utility customers will see increases in water and solid waste & recycling rates. The Town Council approved these adjustments during the February 17 meeting to help fund major water infrastructure projects. This includes drilling eight new wells to serve as backup water sources for 73,000 residents and rebuilding the North Water Treatment Plant, which will eventually supply up to 70% of Gilbert's water.

This is the third year of the proposed three-part water rate increase that began in 2024. These steps are part of our long-term planning to prepare for ongoing water shortages on the Colorado River. Completing this phase will help stabilize our utility funds, allowing any future increases, if needed, to be smaller, more predictable, and easier for customers to plan for.

Strengthening our water portfolio now ensures we can continue protecting Gilbert's quality of life, even as regional water challenges intensify.

The following increases apply to residential customers only:

• Water: 25% increase. For an average home with a ¾-inch meter and 15,000 gallons of monthly use, this means an increase of $22.10 a month (varies by meter size and consumption).

• Solid Waste & Recycling: 2% increase (about $0.55 per month).

The following increases apply to commercial customers:

• Water: 25% Increase

• Solid Waste & Recycling: 20% increase (varies by service)

Mayor Scott Anderson recognizes that this is a difficult time for residents, businesses, and the Town as we work to maintain the community's access to clean and safe water. "Raising rates is never something we want to do, but it became something we had to do. The situation on the Colorado River is somewhere between very serious and truly disastrous, and we have a responsibility to plan for that now. Ensuring a resilient water portfolio requires investment, and that investment is what allows us to protect our community's quality of life. I want to thank our residents, businesses, and all utility customers for their patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging moment together," said Mayor Scott Anderson.

To better understand the water challenges we face both statewide and locally, we've developed an in-depth video that answers the questions you've asked and shows how your dollars are being spent.

Explore how rising costs, aging infrastructure, and water scarcity are impacting the sector in our interactive data story.

Relief for Small Farms

During the February 17 study session ,Town staff and Council discussed a pilot program that would allow eligible small farm owners to be billed at the current landscape rate while remaining fair to other homeowners. Staff recommended the Council adopt a resolution to establish this program, with a possible launch date of April 1. Council will vote on this proposal at their next regular meeting on March 3.

Available Resources

Utility Bill Calculator: Final charges for each customer vary by meter size and water consumption. We encourage you to use Gilbert's utility bill calculator to determine your specific new bill charges. You may find your current water usage and meter size on your latest utility bill.

Utility Bill Assistance Program: The Town of Gilbert collaborates with ASCEND on Gilbert's Utility Bill Assistance Program which offers eligible households up to $360 per year to help reduce their utility costs. Residents can learn more and apply for the utility monthly discount program.

Water Conservation Resources: Water conservation is more important than ever and Gilbert offers a variety of programs from water check-ups to rebates to help you achieve your conservation goal and ultimately save you money on your utility bill. Learn more atgilbertaz.gov/WaterConservation.

For more information on utility rates, visit gilbertaz.gov/utilityrates.