Colorado Springs Utilities increasing water rates in 2020 budget

Colorado Springs Utilities' overall budget is nearing a billion dollars, and though there won't be any big changes to electricity or natural gas rates, you can expect to pay more for your water and wastewater.

The Colorado Springs City Council approved CSU's 2020 budget Tuesday, which is set at $954.4 million. The utility rates were also approved Tuesday and will take effect on Jan. 1.

According to CSU, the average residential water rate is going up about 7.5%, or a little over $5. In a chart provided to media and city council Tuesday, residential rate changes on a sample bill went from $69.71 per month to $74.93 per month. Wastewater goes up slightly from $32.89 to $33.38.

The reason for the increase is largely due to "increased fuel and purchased power costs, rising operations and maintenance expenses, and increasing technology investments," according to CSU Chief Executive Officer Aram Benjamin.

CSU says the total impact amounts to about a 2.5% increase in a sample monthly bill. You can see an estimate of your cost increase by using CSU's online bill calculator HERE.

The municipal utility is also offering a new Green Power rate in 2020 that will let customers receive more renewable energy than in the standard electric service. Availability is limited, though, and it's on a first-come, first-served basis. According to CSU, "a typical customer with 100% Green Power will see an increase of about $8 per month on their bill."