Canyon residents will see changes to water rates and some utility payment fees beginning Oct. 1 as part of the city’s adopted five-year plan.
The new water rates will first appear on bills sent in November. How much customers pay will depend on their meter size and water usage, both of which are listed on monthly utility bills.
Residential customers with ⅝-inch and ¾-inch meters will not see an increase in their minimum water charge. Customers with larger meters will pay more, with the increase starting at $1.82 for a 1-inch meter and climbing to more than $200 for an 8-inch meter.
Usage rates will also change for customers who use larger amounts of water.
The rate for the first 20,000 gallons of water used will remain unchanged. Rates for usage above 20,000 gallons will increase by between 14 and 15 cents per 1,000 gallons, depending on the applicable usage tier.
Along with the water rate changes, Canyon is introducing new convenience fees for several utility payment methods beginning Oct. 1.
Customers who pay online with a debit or credit card through WaterSmart will be charged a 2.95% convenience fee. The same 2.95% fee will apply to payments made by phone. Customers using an eCheck will pay a 75-cent fee for each payment.
Residents who want to avoid the new fees will still have several options.
Automatic bank draft payments will remain free. Customers can also pay without a fee using cash or a check, or by making an in-person debit or credit card payment at the city’s business office.
The changes mean customers who routinely pay their utility bills online or by phone may want to reconsider how they make payments, particularly if they use a debit or credit card. A 2.95% fee will add nearly $3 to a $100 utility payment and close to $6 to a $200 payment.
