Twenty-nine Texas state representatives are urging regulators to investigate Aqua Texas after residents in one northwest Harris County community compiled almost 500 water bills showing steep increases under interim rates, including examples of bills that rose by nearly double for the same usage.
Here's what to know
According to Click2Houston, the Oct. 2 letter asks the Public Utility Commission to review both Aqua Texas' proposed rate hike and the temporary rates that began March 9, 2026. Customers statewide are already being billed under those interim charges.
To document the increases, the station reported that residents in the Harris County community assembled an anonymized set of 496 bills from 57 households spanning April 2024 through September 2026.
As one example in the lawmakers' letter, a household using 15,000 gallons a month saw its 5/8-inch meter bill rise from $205.63 to $369.64. For a 1-inch meter, that same monthly usage went from $265.67 to $521.51.
"We're just seeing ginormous water bills that we shouldn't be seeing, especially to see usage year over year not change or jump exponentially," Liz, a resident, told Click2Houston.
More background
Wastewater billing has become another major point of concern. As the outlet reported, residents say the updated rate structure has changed the sewer portion of their bills, and the lawmakers' letter states that those charges are based on all metered water usage.
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That is especially troubling for residents who use water outdoors for irrigation or filling pools. The lawmakers' letter also says that bills at 20,000 gallons more than doubled for both meter sizes, per Click2Houston.
Aqua Texas says the temporary pricing is meant to promote conservation. The station reported that the company describes the structure as more steeply tiered, and it says pressure on Texas water supplies along with more frequent severe drought conditions makes efficient water use important.
Liz questioned how much conservation could really explain the hikes: "How many times we fill a pool? Yes. How many times we water our yards? Absolutely. The rest of that? I mean, I just, that's why I find conservation not to be the real reason."
What's being done?
In response, the lawmakers asked the PUC to investigate both the interim rates and Aqua Texas' proposed rate increase. Click2Houston reported residents are also continuing to gather bills connected to the March 9, 2026, start of the interim rates.
The utility says the interim rates are tied to infrastructure spending intended to improve reliability, water quality, and service. Aqua Texas also told the outlet it invested nearly $700 million in infrastructure from 2004 to 2024 and says this is its first statewide base-rate change in 20 years.
Liz argued that the rate hikes are not only unfair but also demand further steps from Aqua Texas.
"First and foremost, I would love to see everybody be reimbursed," she concluded to Click2Houston.
Where can I learn more?
Disputes over water bills and utility practices have surfaced in Texas and elsewhere.
• In Potosi, Texas residents faced a $4,500 meter demand and threats of shutoff.
• In Hopewell and Prince George, Virginia, American Water pursued a nearly 30% increase despite backlash.
• In California, a homeowner learned summer tiers drove bills higher even after cutting usage.
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