As DC Water’s Board of Directors considers proposed rate increases for the upcoming 2027 and 2028 fiscal years, we’re asking customers to share their concerns and provide feedback during a public hearing on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The proposed rate changes would support critical investments in safe, reliable drinking water, replacement of aging water and sewer lines, cleaner local waterways, and continued lead service line replacement across the District.

The approved FY27 Capital and Operating Budget totals $1.9 billion and is centered on Smart Spending for a Resilient Tomorrow. Under the two-year rate proposal, some fees would stay the same; changes to water, sewer, and Clean Rivers charges would help cover operating costs, meet regulatory requirements, and fund critical infrastructure improvements; and the new Public Inconvenience Fee would cover the District’s passthrough charges for construction work projects in public spaces. This rate proposal includes:

• Proposed overall bill increase of 6.6% in FY27 and a 5.3% increase in FY28
• For residential customers this would increase the average monthly bill by about $10 in FY27 and $8 more in FY28.

To give customers a clearer picture of their bill, DC Water will begin listing certain District-related charges separately from DC Water rates. These include charges collected on behalf of the District and the new public inconvenience fees tied to permits for construction work such as Lead Free DC.

DC Water’s budget supports major projects across the District to improve infrastructure, reliability, and sustainability, including:

• Clean Rivers Program – This federally mandated project is designed to reduce combined stormwater and wastewater overflows into local waterways, helping improve water quality in the Potomac River and Rock Creek watershed.
• Lead Free DC – DC Water’s ongoing effort to replace all lead service lines in the District, with more than 10,000 replacements already completed.
• Pure Water DC – This initiative is focused on building a more resilient water supply for the District through water reuse planning, research, and public engagement, including construction of a Discovery Center to explore various technology and inform the public.
• Sewer Rehabilitation Projects – DC Water continues major work to rehabilitate aging infrastructure, including the Potomac Interceptor and Rock Creek Main Interceptor.

DC Water also offers customer assistance programs (CAP) to help eligible customers manage their water and sewer bills. More information is available at dcwater.com/cap.

Customers may attend the public hearing via Teams or watch online. Those who can’t attend may still submit written testimony or comments on the rate proposal by mail to Debra Mathis, Interim Secretary to the Board, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, 1358 Canal Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003, or by email to board.secretary@dcwater.com. Comments must be submitted by June 29 at 5 p.m.

Individuals or representatives who wish to present testimony remotely should provide their name, address, telephone number, and organization (if applicable) by calling (202) 787-2330 or emailing board.secretary@dcwater.com no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026.

All public comments and feedback from the hearing will be provided to DC Water’s Board of Directors for its consideration to approve the FY27 and FY28 rates and fees on September 3, 2026.

INFORMATION

What: DC Water Board of Directors Public Hearing to Establish Retail Rates, Fees & Charges for FY 2027 & FY 2028

When: Tuesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m.

Join: Microsoft Teams (link here)

Watch:  DC Water Board of Directors Live Stream

Learn more at dcwater.com/rates