Bartlesville Water Rates Up 22% Starting July 1

The Bartlesville City Council voted 4-1 Monday to raise water and wastewater rates, with a unanimous vote on sanitation increases. All changes take effect July 1.

Water rates will increase 22 percent, wastewater rates 5 percent, and sanitation rates 7.5 percent. The hikes follow a report from NewGen Strategies Solutions showing that operations, maintenance and capital expenses have outpaced revenue.

CFO Jason Muninger said the city operates utilities without profit margins. "We're dealing with direct cost recovery to maintain the services that people are accustomed to," he said.

Water consumption has declined while inflation climbed since 2021, NewGen partner Dave Yanke said. The 22 percent increase aims to restore the water utility to financial stability by 2027.

The wastewater system requires major upgrades mandated by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Sanitation costs rose because garbage truck prices jumped 30 to 40 percent due to material and electronics expenses.

For residential water customers inside city limits, the minimum monthly charge rises to $20.97. The first 2,000 gallons remain free. Volumetric rates increase across usage tiers, with the 2,001 to 10,000 gallon tier rising to $5.33 per 1,000 gallons.

Wastewater customers will pay $18.30 monthly plus $4.50 per 1,000 gallons.

Mayor Jim Curd said the council tried to keep increases minimal while balancing the costs of clean water service.

The Council plans to revisit the rate structure later this year after NewGen completes its full five-year analysis.