Water rate increases and Proposition 218 hearing
Hollister
Summary
New water rates take effect April 17. Notices go out in March, bill inserts are planned, and PG&E CARE program participants can get financial assistance by showing their PG&E bill.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Jun 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
Water bills rise roughly 30% starting April 17; assistance is available for income-qualified households.
The city's utility operations and repairs; income-qualified residents get help offsetting the increase.
All water customers face significantly higher bills beginning April 17.
Mentions & discussions (7)
City Council - Special Meeting
The council raised water rates to start making the water fund self-sustaining after years of deficits — the fund is about $16 million short. Higher bills for residents, but officials argue the system's aging infrastructure needs reliable funding.
City Council - Special Meeting
The water fund has been running deficits since 2018, partly because rates haven't covered costs. Expect multiple rate increases — the city manager flagged three separate rate adjustments to catch the water fund up.
City Council Meeting
Staff is working on new water rates with a possible council study session, and will split city charges from Sunnyslope's water purchase costs on bills for clarity. Chromium-6 was found at specific well locations; officials believe it's naturally occurring, and buying more Central Valley surface water would cost about $4.3 million a year. A water quality report comes in June.
City Council Meeting
A new water rate takes effect April 17, and the city manager says a further increase is coming during the budget process. May is Water Awareness Month, with county rebates for turf removal, toilets, and water softener removal.
City Council Meeting
New water rates take effect April 17, 2026. The wastewater treatment plant is recovering — all eight aerators being installed, membrane cleaning underway — but sludge removal remains a major cost the council wants addressed, possibly with city-owned equipment.
City Council Meeting
New water rates take effect April 17. Notices go out in March, bill inserts are planned, and PG&E CARE program participants can get financial assistance by showing their PG&E bill.
City Council Meeting
The city hasn't raised water rates since 2018 and the utility is running a deficit; proposed increases would add roughly $36/month for a typical home. Residents on fixed incomes pushed back hard, and the council split 3-2 to delay the decision to February 17 while exploring low-income assistance.
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