Plano residents will see higher water and utility bills starting October 1. Here’s what you need to know about new rates, sewer, trash, drainage fees — and how rebates can help.
Local Plano

Plano Water Bills Going Up Oct. 1 — How to Protect Your Wallet

October 1, 2025
Staff

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com

Plano residents should brace for higher utility bills starting October 1. The City of Plano is rolling out new rates for water, sewer, trash, and drainage services — part of its annual update to cover rising costs from the North Texas Municipal Water District and to maintain city infrastructure.

The changes will show up on October statements for all residential water customers. City officials say the new structure is designed not only to cover wholesale costs but also to encourage conservation through a tiered pricing system.

Water Rates: Conservation Built In

The biggest change comes in the water portion of the bill. Plano charges a base fee each month — $30.90 for most homes — which includes the first 1,000 gallons. After that, usage is billed on a sliding scale: $3.45 per thousand gallons up to 5,000, rising to over $12 per thousand gallons for heavy use above 40,000.

The idea is simple: the more water you use, the more expensive each gallon becomes. For many families, that means outdoor watering habits could have a noticeable impact. A household that irrigates heavily during summer could see a bigger jump than a smaller household with modest indoor use.

Sewer, Trash, and Drainage

Water isn’t the only part of the bill changing. Sewer bills start with a $21.50 monthly base charge, plus $8.50 per thousand gallons based on each home’s Winter Quarter Average (December through March). That average is used to estimate sewer outflow for the year.

Trash fees depend on cart size. A standard 95-gallon cart is $25.60 per month, while a smaller 68-gallon cart costs less. Drainage fees, which help maintain the city’s stormwater system, range from about $4 to $7 a month depending on the size of your property.

For most households, the combined effect will add several dollars a month, though heavy water users could feel it more.

Rebates to Ease the Impact

While rates are going up, Plano is also promoting rebates for residents who take steps to cut consumption. The city offers credits for:

  • Installing a rain/freeze sensor that prevents sprinklers from running during bad weather (up to $75).

  • Replacing old toilets in homes built before 1994 with WaterSense® high efficiency models (rebates of $100, $75, and $50 depending on how many are replaced).

  • Adding a pressure reducing valve in homes built before 2013 that are in eligible areas.

Residents must apply within 120 days of purchase, and rebates are credited directly to the water bill.

Education and Community Resources

The city isn’t just raising rates — it’s also trying to give residents tools to manage them. Plano’s Live Green in Plano program offers classes and workshops on topics like composting, water conservation, energy savings, and landscaping.

This fall’s calendar includes tours of the Ridgeview Pump Station and the Plano Recycling Center, the WaterWise Landscape Tour in early October, and even a “Ladies Only Plumbing” workshop designed to make home water systems less intimidating.

Residents can sign up online, attend sessions in person, or request presentations for schools and community groups. For larger events, the city can even send out its Sustainability Van to provide hands-on demonstrations.

Why It Matters for Plano Families

For the average Plano household, the upcoming changes are less about dramatic spikes and more about steady upward pressure on monthly bills. A single resident in a small home might see only a modest increase. A family watering lawns through the fall could see double-digit jumps.

City leaders frame the increases as unavoidable. Wholesale water costs continue to climb as North Texas grows, and Plano’s infrastructure must keep pace. At the same time, the city stresses that conservation — from shorter showers to smart irrigation systems — can help soften the impact.

What Residents Should Do

As October 1 approaches, Plano residents can prepare by:

  1. Checking the new rates at Plano.gov/WaterBill.

  2. Reviewing household water habits, especially irrigation.

  3. Exploring rebates for water-saving upgrades.

  4. Getting involved in Live Green in Plano programs to learn practical ways to conserve.

The bottom line: water and utility bills are going up in Plano. But residents aren’t without options. From city rebates to education programs, Plano is offering ways to cut back, save money, and prepare for the future — one gallon at a time.

👉 Stay up to date on Plano and Collin County news at TX3DNews.com.