Explainer: The Proposed Sewer Rate Increase for 2026

Despite what some headlines in local media may have implied (or what readers may have inferred), one of this evening’s City Council votes is focused solely on a proposed sewer rate increase—not water, garbage, or fire fees. There is no 42% across-the-board increase to utility customers’ bills.

The City of Elkins’ Sanitary Board, which first considered a sewer rate increase in Fall 2024, has suggested a 15% increase in 2026, a 12% increase in 2027, and a 15% increase in 2028. If approved, these changes would only affect the sewer portion of utility bills.

For a residential customer using an average of 3,400 gallons per month (the statewide average in West Virginia), the proposed increase would amount to approximately:

• June 30, 2026: $7.62 a month, or an additional $0.26 a day.
• June 30, 2027: $7.01 a month, or an additional $0.24 a day.
• June 30, 2028: $9.82 a month, or an additional $0.33 a day.

If you live alone and happen to use less than or the minimum of 1,500 gallons a month, this year’s monthly increase will be $3.56. If you live in a larger household and use 10,000 gallons a month, the monthly increase will be $21.75.

(See the image below: A sample utility bill highlighting the current $23.67 sewer fee, which would increase to $31.29 in 2026 under this proposal.)

Download Rate Comparison Table

While the City of Elkins last raised its sewer rates in 2023, these factors are adding to the Wastewater Department’s ongoing costs:

• Technology upgrades to improve operations and security
• Staffing adjustments to cover regulatory demands and provide a living wage for wastewater department employees
• Increased operational costs, as the prices of materials have spiked since the pandemic
• Aging infrastructure repairs, a common challenge across West Virginia and the U.S.
• Continuing regulatory demands from the state of West Virginia and federal government

By law, the City of Elkins cannot use general City funds to cover the costs of operating its utilities. State law requires that these services be paid for entirely by the customers who use them. Just like Elkins’ water and trash services, the sewer system must be self-supporting and cannot receive funding from other City departments.