Homeowners across the Tri-Cities should expect to pay more for water, sewer and possibly natural gas over the next several months, as two cities move forward with utility rate increases and state regulators weigh a separate request from the region's gas provider.
The increases are landing the same month Kennewick and Pasco are each wrestling with multimillion-dollar general-fund budget gaps — $11.4 million in Kennewick and $14.4 million in Pasco — which has some residents assuming the utility hikes are connected to those cuts. They aren't. Under Washington law, water, sewer and other utility operations are run as separate "enterprise funds" that are legally walled off from a city's general fund, which pays for things like police, fire and parks. Utility rates are set to cover the cost of running and upgrading the water, sewer or gas system itself — not to plug budget holes elsewhere in the city.
Pasco: new treatment plant means higher water and sewer bills
Pasco residents are set to see higher water and sewer bills tied to construction of a new water treatment plant, with the increases beginning in March, according to NBC Right Now. The city has also hosted public meetings specifically on the proposed water and sewer rate changes, giving residents a chance to weigh in before the city council takes a final vote.
The exact percentage increase and the precise size and location of the new treatment plant project haven't been detailed in reporting available so far. Residents who want firm numbers before March should watch Pasco's city council agendas and utility billing inserts for the finalized rate schedule, since council action — not the earlier public meetings — will set the official figures.
Kennewick: roughly 5% water, 3% sewer increase
Kennewick has announced increases of roughly 5% for water charges and 3% for sewer charges, according to 610 KONA. The report doesn't specify an effective date or what that means in dollars for a typical household bill, and it's not yet clear whether the increase has cleared a final council vote. Homeowners should check their next billing statement or Kennewick's utility billing page for the confirmed rate and start date once it's finalized.
Rate increases like these are common across Washington cities right now, as utilities face rising costs tied to Department of Health and EPA compliance requirements, aging pipe replacement and higher prices for construction materials and labor. Pasco and Kennewick aren't unusual in raising rates — they're following a pattern playing out statewide.
Natural gas: Cascade rate case could raise heating bills
Separately, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission recently held a public hearing on a proposed rate increase from Cascade Natural Gas, which serves much of the Tri-Cities, according to 610 KONA. The UTC regulates investor-owned gas and electric utilities in Washington and must approve any rate change before it takes effect. No outcome or effective date for the case had been reported as of this writing.
If the increase is approved, it would hit right as furnace season gets underway. Homeowners can soften the blow by scheduling furnace tune-ups now and applying for Benton and Franklin PUD weatherization rebates covering insulation, air-sealing, windows and doors before cold weather sets in. Tightening up a house reduces how much gas it takes to stay warm, which matters more if the per-therm rate goes up.
What this means for your budget
None of these increases are finalized with hard dollar figures across the board, so the most useful step for homeowners right now is tracking the official sources rather than guessing at a monthly impact:
- Pasco: Watch city council agendas and utility bill inserts for the finalized water/sewer rate ordinance ahead of the March effective date.
- Kennewick: Check your utility account or the city's billing page for the confirmed start date on the roughly 5%/3% water and sewer increase.
- Cascade Natural Gas: Monitor the UTC docket or your Cascade bill for notice of the rate case outcome.
- All households: Line up a furnace tune-up and weatherization rebates now, since gas costs rise independent of any UTC decision once temperatures drop.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Kennewick and Pasco budget shortfalls causing these utility rate hikes? No. Water, sewer and other utility operations are run as separate enterprise funds under state law and are funded by rates paid specifically for those services, not by the general fund that covers police, fire and other city departments.
When does Pasco's water and sewer rate increase take effect? According to NBC Right Now, the increase is tied to construction of a new water treatment plant and is expected to start in March. The city has held public meetings on the proposed changes before any final council vote.
How much more will Kennewick residents pay? 610 KONA reports increases of roughly 5% for water and 3% for sewer charges. An exact effective date and typical monthly dollar impact haven't been published yet; check your bill or the city's utility billing page for confirmation.
Will my natural gas bill go up too? Possibly. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has held a hearing on a proposed Cascade Natural Gas rate increase, but no final decision had been reported as of this writing. Any approved increase would need UTC sign-off before showing up on customer bills.
