Your bill / Rate history
How fast the water rate has been climbing
average FY27 rate rise, effective July 1, 2026
The WSSC Water rate increase for FY27 averaged 5.0%, after 9.5% in FY26 and 8.5% in FY25, and a rise of up to 7% is under discussion for FY28.
By the Your Water Numbers desk, not WSSC Water · Updated · How we check
Look up your number: each year’s rise, where we found it
| Year | Rise | Per quarter | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY20 | 5.0% | About $4 | Family of 3, about 15,000 gal a quarter |
| FY21–22 | Not found | Not found | Gap in what we could read |
| FY23 | 6.5% | +$15.68 | Family of 3 at 55 gal a person; 9% was requested |
| FY24 | Not found | Not found | Gap in what we could read |
| FY25 | 8.5% | +$25.49 | Family of 3 at 48 gal a person |
| FY26 | 9.5% | +$25.60 | Family of 3 at 48 gal a person |
| FY27 | 5.0% | About $14.75 | 145 gal/day; about $4.92 a month |
Source: Budgets and news, plus county coverage; each listed below · via search index, Nov. 2026
Reading this: Blank years are not zero. We did not find a published figure for them and will not fill them in.
How much have rates risen over the last three budgets?
About 24.7%, compounding FY25, FY26 and FY27 (our arithmetic). Those three years are consecutive, so stacking them is fair. Do not stack the earlier ones across the gaps.
Source: Budgets and news, each listed below · gaps are years not found
What did FY27 add at your level of use?
The same use cost more at every row. From our table, a 90-day bill rose by:
- $5.83 at 40 gallons a day
- $10.59 at 100
- $14.44 at 145
- $24.93 at 250
- $56.85 at 500
These are our arithmetic, comparing FY26 and FY27 rates on identical use. The full table has every row.
Budget papers put a 5% rise at about $14.75 a quarter for the same 145 gallons a day. Our figure is 31 cents lower. We cannot see how the budget rounded it, so treat both as "about $14 to $15."
Why did 8.5% and 9.5% cost nearly the same dollars?
We cannot tell from the published figures. FY25 is given as +$25.49 and FY26 as +$25.60, both for a family of 3 at 48 gallons a person.
A bigger percentage on a bigger bill should add more. So the two may not include the same charges.
- * about, 5% rise
Source: Customer newsletter, FY26; other years below · as published each year
What decided the FY27 figure?
Both county councils approved the budget in May 2026. The budget book describes a 5.0% average rate rise inside a 6.0% total revenue enhancement, which includes 1.0% in one-time revenue.
Requests can be cut. In FY23 the utility had asked for 9% and got 6.5%.
Is another rise coming in FY28?
Nothing is decided. In October 2026 the Montgomery County Council gave preliminary approval to limits allowing up to 7%.
Staff estimated 7% at +$7.23 a month on the average residential bill and 5% at +$6.19. That is a different base from the $4.92 above, so do not compare them.
The calendar: draft budget due Jan. 15, final vote in May, FY28 starts July 1. The two counties can set different ceilings.
Can using less offset a rise?
Yes, at most rows. At 145 gallons a day, cutting 10 gallons a day saves $18.02 per 90 days, more than the $14.44 FY27 added (our arithmetic). See what that cut is worth on the rate tiers page.
What to do with this number
- Read your row and note what FY27 added
- Set aside for a possible July 1 change once the May vote is reported
- Check for a leak before you blame the rate
- If the rises strain your budget, read the help paying terms
Questions on this page
When do new rates start each year?
The fiscal year starts July 1. FY27 rates took effect July 1, 2026.
Why does the FY23 dollar figure not line up with later years?
It uses 55 gallons a person. FY25 to FY27 use 48, so FY23 is not on the same basis.
Why is a FY24 figure missing here?
We did not find one, and the same goes for FY21 and FY22. We left the gap rather than guess.
Where each number comes from
| Figure | What it is | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0% FY20, about $4 | Rate rise and quarterly effect | WSSC Water approved rates and fees | FY20 |
| 6.5%, +$15.68, 9% | FY23 approval | May 2022 release from the utility | FY23 |
| 8.5%, +$25.49 | FY25 approval | The MoCo Show | May 2024 |
| 9.5%, +$25.60 | FY26 rise | July–Sept 2025 customer newsletter | FY26 |
| 5.0%, 6.0%, 1.0% | FY27 rate rise and revenue | Utility’s FY27 budget book | FY27 |
| $14.75, $4.92 | A 5% rise at 145 gal/day | Utility’s FY27 preliminary budget | January 2026 |
| 7%, $7.23, $6.19 | FY28, not decided | Bethesda Magazine | Oct. 29, 2026 |
| 24.7%, row rises | Compounded rate and bill differences | Our arithmetic from WSSC rates | compounded from the rows above |