Your Water Rates at Work: Building a Sustainable Water Future
The City of Rio Vista provides water services through a network of wells, pipelines, and storage tanks.
- 2 2-million-gallon water storage tanks
- 5 Active water wells
- 1 Water treatment facility
- Approximately 624 Fire Hydrants
- Approximately 42 miles of water distribution lines ranging from 4" to 16 " in size
The City of Rio Vista is proposing an update to water rates to ensure safe, consistent service for years to come. This rate update will help us invest in reliable service, address overdue maintenance, and plan for the future.
Key Goals of the Water Rate Study
The water rate study helps the City determine how much it needs to charge to cover the true cost of providing water service. The study reviews our water system’s full costs—covering operations, maintenance, and capital improvements—to ensure that every dollar collected through rates is used solely to provide safe and reliable water and sewer service.
Why Are Rate Changes Being Proposed?
Like many communities, Rio Vista is facing rising costs for water, materials, staffing, and regulatory compliance.
- No rate adjustments in over 12 years: current revenues can no longer support the $28 million in needed water system upgrades—many of which are already designed and ready to go out to public bid.
- Deferred Maintenance and Aging Systems: Without additional funding, deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure could lead to system failures and reliability issues.
The Cost of Water Service
Single-Family Residential Water Bill Comparison: Current vs. Proposed FY 2025/26 Rates (3/4-inch Meter)
Commercial Water Bill Comparison: Current vs. Proposed FY 2025/26 Rates (3/4-inch Meter)
Our Rates vs. Neighboring Communities
Rio Vista’s water rates remain in line with those of nearby communities even after factoring in the proposed rates, as shown in the graph to the right.
Water Rate Financial Plan
The Rio Vista City Council held a regular meeting on April 1, 2025, at 6pm to review the Water and Sewer Rate Study and initiated Proposition 218 procedures.
Water Rate Frequently Asked Questions
Proposed Rates
| Water Rate Schedule | Current Rates | Proposed Rates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2025/26 | FY 2026/27 | FY 2027/28 | FY 2028/29 | FY 2029/30 | ||
| Monthly Fixed Service Charges (in $/mo) | ||||||
| Residential (SFR, MFR, MH) | ||||||
| 3/4 inch | $34.32 | $43.56 | $47.91 | $49.35 | $50.83 | $52.36 |
| 1 inch | $34.32 | $70.87 | $77.96 | $80.29 | $82.70 | $85.18 |
| 1 1/2 inch | $34.32 | $139.15 | $153.07 | $157.66 | $162.39 | $167.26 |
| 2 inch | $34.32 | $221.09 | $243.20 | $250.49 | $258.01 | $265.75 |
| 3 inch | $34.32 | $439.59 | $483.55 | $498.05 | $512.99 | $528.38 |
| 4 inch | $34.32 | $685.40 | $753.94 | $776.56 | $799.85 | $823.85 |
| Non-Residential (COMM & IRR) | ||||||
| 3/4 inch | $34.32 | $43.56 | $47.91 | $49.35 | $50.83 | $52.36 |
| 1 inch | $85.79 | $70.87 | $77.96 | $80.29 | $82.70 | $85.18 |
| 1 1/2 inch | $171.58 | $139.15 | $153.07 | $157.66 | $162.39 | $167.26 |
| 2 inch | $274.52 | $221.09 | $243.20 | $250.49 | $258.01 | $265.75 |
| 3 inch | $514.73 | $439.59 | $483.55 | $498.05 | $512.99 | $528.38 |
| 4 inch | $857.88 | $685.40 | $753.94 | $776.56 | $799.85 | $823.85 |
| 6 inch | $1,715.75 | $1,368.21 | $1,505.03 | $1,550.18 | $1,596.69 | $1,644.59 |
| Variable Charges for All Water Consumed (in $/HCF) | ||||||
| Uniform Rate for All Customers | $0.56 | $0.78 | $0.85 | $0.88 | $0.90 | $0.93 |