San Jose water, sewer, and garbage bills are going up July 1
San Jose CA – July 1 brings higher charges for garbage/recycling, sanitary sewer, and drinking water, with city rate tables showing specific monthly increases.
San Jose CA residents are about to see higher monthly utility bills. Starting July 1, 2026, City of San José rate documentation for residential customers shows changes to garbage/recycling, sanitary sewer, and drinking water charges.
Why July 1 changes your bill
The city’s Proposition 218 rate noticing packet ties the changes to the July 1, 2026 effective date. For residents, the clearest day-to-day increases are expected in trash and recycling collection, sanitary sewer service, and potable water (drinking water).
Garbage and recycling: single-family vs. multi-family
The city’s noticing packet says the administration is recommending a residential garbage and recycling rate increase of up to 7% for single-family properties and up to 4% for multi-family properties, with the effective date tied to July 1, 2026.
Single-family examples (garbage cart size)
- 64-gallon cart: $109.02/month → $116.65/month (increase of $7.63)
- 96-gallon cart: $163.53/month → $174.97/month (increase of $11.44)
Multi-family examples (1x/week collection)
- Bin size 1: $155.50/month → $161.72/month (increase of $6.22)
- Bin size 2: $236.22/month → $245.66/month (increase of $9.44)
The city also notes that, for multi-family properties, garbage and recycling services are billed to the utility account holder (which may be a homeowners association).
In the notice, the city says the changes are intended to cover increased costs tied to garbage collection/processing, plus unlimited recycling and yard trimmings collection and unlimited junk pickup.
Sewer charges: flat monthly amounts
Sanitary sewer is billed differently than water. The city’s residential sewer-rate notification letter lists flat monthly charges by property type, with “current” and “proposed” amounts tied to July 1, 2026.
- Single-family residence: $50.42/month → $51.73/month (increase of $1.31)
- Multiple-family residence (per unit): $33.78/month → $34.66/month (increase of $0.88)
The city’s packet describes the sewer change as a maximum single-family increase of about 2.6% (or $1.31 per month).
Water: rates plus a 5% utility tax
For drinking water, the city’s published rate materials explain how your bill is structured. Per the city’s drinking water rates page, all water bills include a quantity charge, a service charge, and a 5% utility tax.
The city’s Proposition 218 water notice packet also provides service-area-specific examples for the July 1, 2026 effective date:
- North San Jose/Alviso: about a $10 (about 6.5%) increase to an average residential monthly bill
- Evergreen/Edenvale: about a $10 (about 6.6%) increase to an average residential monthly bill
What residents should do now
Before your first statement reflects the July 1 changes, the most practical step is to confirm which rate lines apply to your account:
- Garbage/recycling: match your home to the correct single-family cart size or the correct multi-family bin size and collection frequency used in the city’s schedule.
- Sewer: confirm whether your account is billed as single-family or multi-family (per unit).
- Water: remember the city’s bills include a 5% utility tax in addition to quantity and service charges.
Then, when your next San Jose utility statement arrives, compare the changed line items against the “current” and “maximum proposed” figures in your notice packet. Exact impacts will vary by account type, service area, and usage.
Sources
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