Fontana sewer rates face June 23 hearing before possible July 1 increase

Fontana residents could see higher sewer bills this summer if the City Council approves a proposed wastewater rate change after a June 23 public hearing.

The city’s notice says the hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the City of Fontana Council Chambers, 8437 Sierra Avenue. If adopted, the new rates would take effect July 1, 2026, with annual adjustments each July 1 through 2030.

What the proposal would do

Fontana’s rate study recommends simplifying the city’s sewer collection charge so all customers pay one uniform collection fee. The separate charge now applied to customers outside city limits would be eliminated.

For a typical residential customer in the study’s “Regular” class, the city notice says the collection portion of the bill would rise by $1.92 a month. The study shows that charge moving from $12.63 now to $14.55 on July 1, 2026, then to $16.01 in 2027, $17.61 in 2028, $19.37 in 2029, and $21.31 in 2030. The regular class total would be $44.00 in fiscal year 2027, up from $39.65 now, while the treatment charge is a pass-through set by regional partners.

Why city staff says the increase is needed

The rate study says current sewer rates do not cover the full cost of operating the system. It says that without rate changes, the sewer fund’s financial reserves would be exhausted by 2028.

The study also says wastewater capital projects are planned to be cash funded through rate revenue, with no new debt issuances in the financial plan. It projects roughly $5.5 million a year in rate-funded capital spending over the study period, while also covering operating expenses and existing debt service.

How the Prop. 218 process works

The June 23 hearing is part of the Prop. 218 process, which gives property owners and current ratepayers a chance to submit written protests and speak before the council acts. The notice says protests must be in writing, received by 2 p.m. on June 23 or delivered during the hearing, and only one protest per affected property will be counted. Telephone, email and fax protests will not be accepted.

If fewer than a majority of affected property owners or ratepayers protest, the council can consider adopting the rates as proposed. If a majority protests, the city is barred from changing the rates at this time.

The council’s June 23 agenda lists the sewer item as a public hearing on rate adjustments for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2030-31, along with related resolutions and an ordinance tied to adopting new sewer service fees.

For Fontana households and property owners, the key dates are straightforward: June 23 for the hearing, and July 1 for the earliest possible effective date if the proposal is approved.

Sources

• City of Fontana sewer rate public hearing notice
• City of Fontana wastewater rate study report
• City of Fontana City Council June 23, 2026 agenda