Water bills for Rome households might climb by 5.5% annually in both 2025 and 2026. For a family using 4,500 gallons a month, that means an increase from $68.89 to $72.67. The move is tied to rising infrastructure costs and efforts to ensure clean, reliable water for the city.
Why It Matters: Families are already juggling inflation and higher living costs. An increase in water rates adds another strain, especially for lower-income households. The city says it needs the funds to maintain vital services and manage long-term projects, but the burden falls directly on residents.
💡 What’s Happening: The recommended increase stems from a consultant’s study, presented to Rome’s water and sewer committee. Officials say the city is addressing critical funding needs to avoiding steeper hikes in the future.
• Infrastructure Costs: The city needs $459 million for capital projects, including a reverse osmosis water treatment facility to tackle harmful “forever chemicals.”
• Avoiding Larger Hikes: Without action, rates could jump by double digits after 2028 to meet funding needs.
While settlement funds from lawsuits over water pollution helped temporarily roll back rates, the growing cost of construction and inflation is forcing the city to revisit rates.
🔍 Between the Lines: Rome’s water system operates independently of property tax funding, relying solely on customer payments. While the city is exploring ways to attract water-heavy industries to help stabilize costs, residents are footing the immediate bill.
⏳ What’s Next: The water and sewer committee voted to accept the consultant’s recommendation. The proposed rate hikes still need final approval from the Rome City Commission, which could vote as soon as Dec. 16.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
