Residents across Kerr County are bracing for substantial increases in their water bills as the Public Utility Commission of Texas prepares to decide on Aqua Texas Inc.’s rate increase proposal, potentially as soon as a July 10 meeting.

The proposed changes, with an effective date of July 25, would affect all 24 water systems serving Kerr County, from small subdivisions like Sleepy Hollow and Cherry Ridge to larger communities such as Ingram and the Four Seasons area. Hundreds of customers have already filed protests with state regulators.

For typical residential customers using 8,000 gallons monthly — roughly the average for Texas households — water bills would increase by $16 to $17 per month, translating to more than $200 in additional annual costs. Customers using 10,000 gallons monthly would see increases exceeding $35 per month, or more than $420 annually.

“While the minimum monthly charge is proposed to decrease from $44.85 to $34.90, the volumetric charges are increasing dramatically,” said industry analysts reviewing the rate filing. The cost per 1,000 gallons for initial usage would nearly double from $2.85 to $5.50 under the proposal.

The rate restructuring particularly impacts systems using the SW-W01 rate code, which serves 18 of Kerr County’s 24 water systems, including subdivisions like Erlund, Oak Forest South, Pecan Valley, Horseshoe Oaks, Northwest Hills, Bear Paw and Cypress Springs.

Four other county systems — Westcreek Estates, Loma Vista, Aqua Vista and Guadalupe Heights — operating under the SW-W02 rate code face similar increases. Special rate systems including Ingram Water Supply and Royal Oaks Water would also see higher bills for typical consumption levels.

Sewer customers face additional increases. The SW-S01 regional sewer rate would jump from $86.78 to $96.93 monthly for standard residential service, while the Briarcreek area would see sewer rates rise from $61.50 to $91.66 — a 49% increase.

Combined water and sewer customers could face total annual increases exceeding $300 in many cases.

Aqua Texas filed the application seeking to recover capital investments in water and wastewater facilities, improve system reliability and enhance water quality. The company operates small, geographically dispersed systems across Texas and is seeking to consolidate operations into three regions.

The utility’s recent regulatory history includes a denied System Improvement Charge increase, with the PUCT ordering refunds to customers and requiring a comprehensive rate case filing by September.

The proposed effective date of July 25 leaves little time for implementation if approved at a July 10 commission meeting. PUCT meetings are open to the public and livestreamed from Austin.

Local residents concerned about the increases have been encouraged to submit comments to the PUCT before any final decision is made. The commission’s review process typically includes consideration of public input alongside the utility’s financial justification for rate changes.

The rate increases come as Texas communities grapple with growing water infrastructure needs amid population growth and aging systems. However, the magnitude of the proposed increases has drawn opposition from customers who note the changes would significantly impact household budgets.

For many Kerr County residents living on fixed incomes, particularly in the area’s numerous retirement communities, the proposed increases represent a substantial new financial burden that could force difficult household budget decisions.

The timing coincides with broader concerns about water affordability across Texas, as utilities seek rate increases to fund infrastructure improvements required by population growth and regulatory compliance.

Complete Kerr County Water Rate Increases by System

Summary of All 24 Water Systems in Kerr County

SW-W01 Rate Code (20 Systems) – 14.96% to 20.61% Increases

Most common rate code affecting the majority of Kerr County systems

Systems Affected:

• Stonegate Water System (TX1300032)
• Walnut Hills (TX1300034)
• Ten West Ranches (TX1300036)
• Kendall Pointe (TX1300041)
• Center Point Taylor System (TX1330010)
• Erlund Subdivision (TX1330036)
• Oak Forest South Water Supply (TX1330091)
• Nickerson Farm Water System (TX1330097)
• Sleepy Hollow (TX1330101)
• Pecan Valley (TX1330107)
• Center Point North Water System (TX1330111)
• Four Seasons (TX1330113)
• Horseshoe Oaks Subdivision Water System (TX1330118)
• Northwest Hills Subdivision (TX1330124)
• Bear Paw Water System (TX1330126)
• Park Place Subdivision (TX1330127)
• Real Oaks Subdivision (TX1330139)
• Cherry Ridge Water (TX1330147)
• Saddlewood Subdivision (TX1330155)
• Cypress Springs (TX1330156)

Rate Increases:

• 6,000 gallons/month: $67.25 → $77.30 (+$10.05, +14.96%)
• Flat rate (0 gallons): $45.06 → $54.38 (+$9.32, +20.61%)

SW-W02 Rate Code (4 Systems) – 11.84% to 13.60% Increases

“Newly Acquired” systems

Systems Affected:

• Guadalupe Heights Utility (TX1330009)
• Westcreek Estates Water System (TX1330028)
• Loma Vista Water System (TX1330041)
• Aqua Vista Utilities (TX1330062)

Rate Increases:

• 6,000 gallons/month: $67.96 → $77.26 (+$9.30, +13.60%)
• Flat rate (0 gallons): $45.06 → $50.36 (+$5.30, +11.84%)

SW-W05 Rate Code (1 System) – 19.45% to 27.35% Increases

Ingram Residential – Higher than average increases

System Affected:

• Ingram Water Supply (Residential) (TX1330011)

Rate Increases:

• 6,000 gallons/month: $51.03 → $65.02 (+$13.99, +27.35%)
• Flat rate (0 gallons): $27.67 → $33.05 (+$5.38, +19.45%)

SW-W06 Rate Code (1 System) – 29.44% to 38.07% Increases

Ingram Commercial – Highest increases in Kerr County

System Affected:

• Ingram Water Supply (Commercial) (TX1330011)

Rate Increases:

• 6,000 gallons/month: $58.14 → $80.20 (+$22.06, +38.07%)
• Flat rate (0 gallons): $32.67 → $42.20 (+$9.53, +29.44%)

SW-W07 Rate Code (1 System) – 2.00% to 4.15% Increases

Royal Oaks – Lowest increases in Kerr County

System Affected:

• Royal Oaks Water (TX1330013)

Rate Increases:

• 6,000 gallons/month: $46.79 → $48.73 (+$1.94, +4.15%)
• Flat rate (0 gallons): $30.00 → $30.60 (+$0.60, +2.00%)

Key Findings

Highest Impact Systems:

1. Ingram Water Supply (Commercial): Up to 38.07% increase
2. Ingram Water Supply (Residential): Up to 27.35% increase
3. SW-W01 systems (20 systems): Up to 20.61% increase

Lowest Impact System:

• Royal Oaks Water: Only 2.00% to 4.15% increase

Most Affected Customers:

• 20 of 24 systems (83.3%) face increases of 14.96% or higher
• Ingram customers face the steepest increases in the county
• Royal Oaks customers face the smallest increases

Annual Impact Examples (6,000 gallons/month):

• SW-W01 systems: +$120.60 annually
• SW-W02 systems: +$111.60 annually
• Ingram Residential: +$167.88 annually
• Ingram Commercial: +$264.72 annually
• Royal Oaks: +$23.28 annually

Geographic Distribution

All major areas of Kerr County are affected:

• Kerrville area: Multiple systems including Four Seasons, Pecan Valley
• Ingram area: Both residential and commercial facing highest increases
• Center Point area: Both North and Taylor systems affected
• Rural subdivisions: Widespread impact across county

Note: Rate increases vary by consumption level and meter size. These examples are for residential 5/8″ meters at specified usage levels.