Greenfield Water Rates Changed July 1; Ordinance Still Pending
Greenfield’s Phase 3 water rates took effect July 1, while a separate proposed ordinance could change future water and wastewater charges.
Greenfield’s Phase 3 water rates took effect July 1, 2026, but a separate proposal to amend water and wastewater charges remains in the city’s public-hearing process.
That distinction matters for customers reviewing bills issued this summer. The water-rate schedule already in effect is not the same as Ordinance No. 2026-22, which was introduced to the City Council on July 8.
What changed July 1
For metered water customers, the Phase 3 schedule lists rates of $5.23 per 1,000 gallons inside city limits and $7.53 outside city limits for the first 20,000 gallons used during a month. The next 140,000 gallons are listed at $4.29 inside the city and $4.49 outside. The next 160,000 gallons are listed at $3.74 inside and $3.94 outside.
Customers also pay a monthly base charge based on meter size. For a typical 5/8-inch meter, the Phase 3 base charge is $15 inside city limits and $17.17 outside city limits. Larger meters carry higher base charges.
The city’s published schedule also identifies a 14.5% surcharge for customers outside Greenfield’s incorporated limits. Because the schedule has separate inside-city and outside-city columns, customers should compare their bill with the full rate table and confirm how their service area is classified.
Annual report offers bill context
Greenfield’s 2025 water annual financial report includes examples of typical monthly bills at 2,000 and 4,000 gallons. Those examples show total bills of $25.46 and $35.92, respectively, but the report says the figures use rates effective July 1, 2025 and include a fire-protection charge. They should not be treated as current Phase 3 estimates for every household.
The report also breaks utility revenue requirements into operations and maintenance, debt service and depreciation. That provides financial context for the rate schedule, but a household’s actual bill will depend on consumption, meter size, service area and other applicable line items.
Wastewater charges are separate
The wastewater utility has its own rate structure. The city’s 2025 wastewater annual financial report lists a variable usage charge of $7.03 per 1,000 gallons inside city limits and $8.06 outside city limits.
It also lists separate monthly base charges. For 5/8-inch and 3/4-inch meters, the base charge is $36.93 inside the city and $42.28 outside. Larger meters have higher monthly charges. The report identifies these wastewater charges under Ordinance 2022-26, effective Aug. 10, 2022.
The records reviewed for this article do not establish that wastewater rates changed July 1 along with the Phase 3 water schedule.
What the proposed ordinance means
The city has posted a notice of a public hearing concerning an ordinance to amend rates and charges for both utilities. The council archive lists Ordinance No. 2026-22 as introduced July 8, but introduction is not adoption.
The city’s online listings show a July 8 City Council meeting, a July 22 City Council meeting and a July 28 Board of Works meeting. Those listings identify where residents can watch for later agendas, minutes, hearing records or a final ordinance. They do not by themselves confirm that the proposed ordinance passed or that a new effective date was approved.
How to check a bill
Customers comparing a recent bill with the published schedule should check five items:
- whether the account is inside or outside city limits;
- the meter size and monthly base charge;
- water consumption and the applicable usage tier;
- wastewater consumption and its separate base charge; and
- any fire-protection, surcharge or other changed line item.
Residents should continue checking City Council agendas, minutes, public-hearing records and any final ordinance or effective-date notice before assuming that proposed future changes have taken effect.
Sources
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