Somerville Community Encouraged to Join Public Hearing on Proposed FY2026 Water & Sewer Rates

The City of Somerville Water & Sewer Department invites all community members to a public hearing to review proposed Water and Sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2026. Water and Sewer rates are typically adjusted each year. This year’s higher-than-usual increase is due in part to the fact that no rate adjustments were approved last year. The Water & Sewer Department's proposal this year aims to close that gap to ensure the City can continue funding essential infrastructure improvements and maintain reliable service.

Proposed changes to be discussed include:

• An 18% increase in water volumetric charges
• A 12% increase in sewer volumetric charges
• Changes to existing base charges for both water and sewer
• Changes to the tiered rate structure for Residential accounts
• Changes to existing bill schedules and billing frequency
  • Change from existing bi-monthly bills (every other month) to quarterly billing cycle (every three months) for Commercial accounts; and
  • Change from existing tri-annual bills (every four months) to quarterly billing cycle (every three months) for Residential accounts.

The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 28, at 6 p.m. Members of the public may attend in person or join virtually:

• In person at the Tufts Administration Building (TAB) 2nd Floor Conference Room, 167 Holland St., Somerville, MA 02144
• Virtually via Zoom:web.zoom.us/j/84371662008
  • Webinar ID: 843 7166 2008
  • Passcode:773369

If you’re unable to attend but would like to share feedback, please send comments by:

• Emailing water@somervillema.gov with the subject line “RATE HEARING”
• Sending U.S. Mail to: Somerville Water & Sewer Department, 17 Franey Road, Somerville, MA 02145

Comments must be received by 12 p.m. on May 28 to be conveyed to the Department during the hearing.

Please contact Kellie Hebert, Director of Finance and Administration at water@somervillema.gov with any questions.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

If you need assistance translating or understanding this information, please call 311 (617-666-3311) or contact us at somerviva@somervillema.gov. The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV (somervillema.gov/video) Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one business day of recording