Somerville Water and Sewer Hike Looms

The City of Somerville said on May 22 that it is proposing higher water and sewer rates for fiscal 2027 and will take public comment at a hearing on May 28. The proposal calls for a 15% increase in revenue from water volumetric charges and a 15% increase in revenue from sewer volumetric charges, with no change to existing base charges. City officials said the increase is higher than Somerville’s usual annual adjustments. They said the added revenue would help pay for infrastructure work, flood-mitigation projects and the city’s federally mandated combined sewer overflow control obligations. ### What exactly is Somerville proposing to raise? Somerville’s Water & Sewer Department said the fiscal 2027 proposal would raise volumetric charges — the part of the bill tied to usage — by 15% for water and 15% for sewer. The city said existing base charges for both services would remain unchanged under the proposal. (somervillema.gov) Friday’s city notice did not list revised per-unit rates in the public announcement. Instead, it framed the change in terms of revenue from usage-based charges, a sign that the hearing will center on how much additional money the department says it needs for the next fiscal year. (somervillema.gov) ### Why are officials asking for a larger increase than usual? The City of Somerville said the proposed increase is “higher than is typical” because the department needs to fund improvements to water, sewer and stormwater drainage infrastructure. The notice also said the city must cover costs tied to the federally mandated combined sewer overflow control plan and other flood-mitigation efforts while maintaining service. (somervillema.gov) A May 18 city notice on the broader sewer plan said Somerville, Cambridge and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority are seeking feedback on a $1.29 billion draft updated combined sewer overflow control plan. The city described that plan as a legal requirement and said it is intended to reduce pollution in local waterways. (somervillema.gov) ### What does that sewer-overflow plan have to do with utility bills? Somerville said most of the city is served by a combined sewer system, which carries both wastewater and stormwater in the same pipes. The city says those systems can overflow during rain events, sending polluted discharges into local waterways, and that Somerville is working with Cambridge and MWRA on long-term control measures. (somervillema.gov) The Water & Sewer Department linked the rate proposal directly to those obligations. In its May 22 notice, the department said the higher fiscal 2027 increase would help ensure the city can pay for the combined sewer overflow control plan and flood-mitigation work across Somerville. (somervillema.gov) ### Where and when can residents weigh in? The public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, at 6 p.m., according to the city’s notice. The meeting will be held in person at the Highlander Forum at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave., and will also be available virtually by Zoom. (somervillema.gov) The city said the location was changed from Franey Road to the high school. Residents who cannot attend can send comments by email to the Water & Sewer Department or by mail to 17 Franey Road, and comments must be received by noon on May 28 to be conveyed during the hearing. (somervillema.gov) ### What happens after the hearing? Somerville’s notice describes the May 28 session as a public hearing to review the proposed fiscal 2027 rates, but it does not say in that announcement when a final vote will occur. The city’s budget page says fiscal 2027 runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, placing the rate proposal on the timeline for the next budget year. (somervillema.gov) May 28 is also the date of a scheduled City Council meeting, according to the council calendar. Residents who want to comment on the rate proposal can attend the 6 p.m. hearing at Somerville High School, join virtually, or submit written comments to the Water & Sewer Department by noon that day. (somervillema.legistar.com) (somervillema.gov)