The City of Glendale (City) is proposing updates to water rates to keep pace with rising costs and infrastructure needs. The Glendale City Council will hold a public hearing at the City of Glendale Council Chambers, 613 E. Broadway, 2nd Floor, on November 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., to consider the proposed water rate changes.
The hearing will be held in accordance with Proposition 218 (California Constitution Article XIII D, Section 6), and the public is invited to provide spoken or written comments. Customers who are property owners or tenants also have an opportunity to submit a written protest as described in this Notice. This Notice summarizes the reasons for, and amounts of, the proposed updates and the calculations used to determine the updated rates. Scan the QR code or visit GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates for additional information about the proposed rate adjustments.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND
PROPOSED WATER RATE CHANGES
If adopted, the proposed rates will take effect
on January 1, 2027, with annual adjustments
each January 1st through 2031.
Why Rate Updates Are Needed
Glendale Water & Power (GWP) has provided
essential water service for over a century. In
recent years, the costs to operate, maintain,
and improve the water system have increased
significantly.
Where Your Water Comes From
GWP has limited control over the cost
of imported water, which makes up the
majority of supply.
GWP recently completed a long-term Water
Master Plan to guide strategic upgrades
that will support a reliable, adaptable water
system. That planning process uncovered
several critical infrastructure needs across
the system. Despite regular maintenance,
much of Glendale’s water system has aged
beyond its useful life, increasing the risk of
emergency breaks. GWP must invest now so
you can continue to rely on your water service.
Construction costs rise every year, making
these repairs more expensive the longer we
wait. Additionally, emergency repairs are much
more expensive than planned maintenance. If
GWP delays, it risks pipe breaks and system
failures that put public health, safety, and your
everyday routine in jeopardy.
Groundwater
30%
Recycled Water
5%
MWD Imported
65%
A major driver of rising costs is the price GWP pays to import water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD).
Because Glendale relies on MWD for 60 to 70 percent of its water supply, GWP has limited ability to control these costs. Since July 2022, MWD’s rates have increased by approximately 34 percent — increases that GWP can no longer absorb on behalf of its customers. +34%
MWD rate increase
since July 2022
How GWP Ensures Fair Water Rates
By law, water rates only cover the true cost of providing service, meaning the money you pay goes directly back into operating and maintaining the water system. GWP does not use tax dollars to provide water service.
GWP uses water rates to calculate the amount you see on your bill. The City hired Raftelis, an independent consulting firm with more than 30 years of experience in utility rate studies, to perform a cost-of-service analysis to calculate rates that are fair and comply with state law. This means each customer pays their share based on the demands they place on the water system.
How Your Bill Is Calculated and What Is Changing
GWP calculates water rates to cover the actual costs of providing water service. Consider water rates as the math equation that leads to the final answer, or the number you see on your water bill. Here’s how it works:
Your water bill is made up of a few different parts. The first is a fixed monthly meter charge based on the size of your water meter. The second is based on how much water you actually use, measured in units called hundred cubic feet (HCF). The more you use, the higher the bill.
GWP currently uses a three-tier rate structure for some customer classes. The proposed rates would move to two tiers for all customer classes. The two-tier structure reflects GWP’s two water sources, accounting for the difference between locally produced groundwater and more expensive imported water from MWD.
In addition, GWP’s new rate structure will account for costs associated with pumping to dif - ferent elevations in our service area. GWP delivers water to customers across seven elevation zones, called pump zones. Higher elevation zones require more energy to move water uphill, which is reflected in an additional charge. Customers in higher pump zones will see a slightly different impact based on their elevation, reflecting the additional pumping costs. 1 HCF =
about 748
gallons
HCF stands for
Hundred Cubic Feet,
the standard unit
on your water bill
If you are interested in how the proposed rate changes will impact your bill, you can visit GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates for the water rate calculator or call GWP’s Customer Service Department at (855) 550-4497 or email them at [email protected] .
Water Rate Tables
Proposed Monthly Potable Fixed Customer Charge
Meter Size Current Charge Jan 1, 2027 Jan 1, 2028 Jan 1, 2029 Jan 1, 2030 Jan 1, 2031 All Customers
5/8-inch $19.37 $42.00 $46.62 $51.28 $56.41 $60.36
3/4-inch $27.02 $42.00 $46.62 $51.28 $56.41 $60.36
1-inch $42.37 $42.00 $46.62 $51.28 $56.41 $60.36
1 1/2-inch $80.67 $113.37 $125.84 $138.42 $152.26 $162.92 2-inch $126.64 $174.54 $193.74 $213.11 $234.42 $250.83
3-inch $272.22 $368.24 $408.75 $449.63 $494.59 $529.21
4-inch $486.76 $653.70 $725.61 $798.17 $877.99 $939.45
6-inch $1,000.11 $1,336.77 $1,483.81 $1,632.19 $1,795.41 $1,921.09 8-inch $1,842.94 $2,458.21 $2,728.61 $3,001.47 $3,301.62 $3,532.73 10-inch $2,915.64 $3,885.51 $4,312.92 $4,744.21 $5,218.63 $5,583.93 12-inch $3,835.10 $5,108.91 $5,670.89 $6,237.98 $6,861.78 $7,342.10 Current and Proposed Tier Allotment and Potable Water Variable Rates Current Potable Water Variable Rates
Customer Class Tier Breakpoints Existing Charge ($ / HCF) Single-Family
Tier 1 0-8 HCF $2.80
Tier 2 9-15 HCF $4.11
Tier 3 >15 HCF $4.28
Multi-Family
Tier 1 # Of Dwelling Units * 6 HCF $2.80
Tier 2 All Additional HCF $4.11
Commercial
Tier 1 All Units $4.04
Irrigation
Tier 1 All Units $4.19
Proposed Tier Allotment
Meter Size Gallons per Minute Capacity Factor Tier 1 Tier 2 All Customers
5/8-inch 20 1.00 0-10 >10
3/4-inch 30 1.00 0-10 >10
1-inch 50 1.00 0-10 >10
1 1/2-inch 100 3.33 0-33 >33
2-inch 160 5.33 0-53 >53
3-inch 350 11.67 0-117 >117
4-inch 630 21.00 0-210 >210
6-inch 1,300 43.33 0-433 >433
8-inch 2,400 80.00 0-800 >800
10-inch 3,800 126.67 0-1,267 >1,267
12-inch 5,000 166.67 0-1,667 >1,667
Proposed Potable Water Variable Rates
Meter Size Jan 1, 2027 Jan 1, 2028 Jan 1, 2029 Jan 1, 2030 Jan 1, 2031 Single Family
Tier 1 $4.09 $4.54 $4.99 $5.49 $5.87
Tier 2 $6.92 $7.68 $8.45 $9.30 $9.95
Multi-Family
Tier 1 $4.09 $4.54 $4.99 $5.49 $5.87
Tier 2 $6.92 $7.68 $8.45 $9.30 $9.95
Commercial
Tier 1 $4.17 $4.63 $5.09 $5.60 $5.99
Tier 2 $6.92 $7.68 $8.45 $9.30 $9.95
Irrigation
Tier 1 $4.17 $4.63 $5.09 $5.60 $5.99
Tier 2 $6.92 $7.68 $8.45 $9.30 $9.95
Water rates are subject to a Water Adjustment Charge (WAC), Glendale Municipal Code (GMC) Section 13.08.150, to reflect increases or changes in the cost of purchased water and the electricity required to pump and deliver water compared to amounts budgeted by GWP for these expenses. The WAC allows these changes in water supply and pumping costs to be reflected in customer rates.
Proposed Monthly Private Fire Line Fixed Customer Charge Meter Size Current
Charge Jan 1, 2027 Jan 1, 2028 Jan 1, 2029 Jan 1, 2030 Jan 1, 2031 5/8-inch $4.47 $11.61 $12.89 $14.18 $15.60 $16.69
3/4-inch $4.47 $11.73 $13.02 $14.32 $15.75 $16.85
1-inch $4.47 $12.08 $13.41 $14.75 $16.23 $17.37
1 1/2-inch $5.25 $13.35 $14.82 $16.30 $17.93 $19.19
2-inch $6.63 $15.54 $17.25 $18.98 $20.88 $22.34
3-inch $11.55 $23.38 $25.95 $28.55 $31.41 $33.61
4-inch $20.04 $36.91 $40.97 $45.07 $49.58 $53.05
6-inch $50.52 $85.48 $94.88 $104.37 $114.81 $122.85
8-inch $103.07 $169.25 $187.87 $206.66 $227.33 $243.24
10-inch $182.11 $295.25 $327.73 $360.50 $396.55 $424.31 12-inch $291.65 $469.88 $521.57 $573.73 $631.10 $675.28 Proposed Monthly Recycled Water Fixed Customer Charge
Meter Size Current
Charge Jan 1, 2027 Jan 1, 2028 Jan 1, 2029 Jan 1, 2030 Jan 1, 2031 5/8-inch $13.00 $26.18 $29.06 $31.97 $35.17 $37.63
3/4-inch $17.48 $26.18 $29.06 $31.97 $35.17 $37.63
1-inch $26.43 $26.18 $29.06 $31.97 $35.17 $37.63
1 1/2-inch $48.82 $60.62 $67.29 $74.02 $81.42 $87.12
2-inch $75.70 $90.14 $100.06 $110.07 $121.08 $129.56
3-inch $160.80 $183.63 $203.83 $224.21 $246.63 $263.89
4-inch $286.20 $321.40 $356.75 $392.43 $431.67 $461.89
6-inch $586.23 $651.06 $722.68 $794.95 $874.45 $935.66
8-inch $1,078.86 $1,192.30 $1,323.45 $1,455.80 $1,601.38 $1,713.48 10-inch $1,705.85 $1,881.14 $2,088.07 $2,296.88 $2,526.57 $2,703.43 12-inch $2,243.26 $2,471.58 $2,743.45 $3,017.80 $3,319.58 $3,551.95 14-inch $2,243.26 $3,701.66 $4,108.84 $4,519.72 $4,971.69 $5,319.71 16-inch $2,243.26 $4,931.74 $5,474.23 $6,021.65 $6,623.82 $7,087.49
Variable Recycled Water Rates
Current Recycled Water Variable Rates
Customer Class Existing Charge
Commercial $2.84
Irrigation $2.84
Proposed Variable Recycled Water Rates
Tier Allotment Jan 1, 2027 Jan 1, 2028 Jan 1, 2029 Jan 1, 2030 Jan 1, 2031 All Use $3.91 $4.34 $4.77 $5.25 $5.62
Proposed Pump Zone Rates
Pump Zone Current
Charge Jan 1, 2027 Jan 1, 2028 Jan 1, 2029 Jan 1, 2030 Jan 1, 2031 1 (724') N/A $0.05 $0.06 $0.06 $0.07 $0.07
2 (968') N/A $0.25 $0.28 $0.31 $0.34 $0.36
3 (1,290') N/A $0.84 $0.93 $1.03 $1.13 $1.21
4 (1,666') N/A $1.83 $2.03 $2.23 $2.46 $2.63
5 (2,000') N/A $2.31 $2.56 $2.82 $3.10 $3.32
6 (2,400') N/A $3.42 $3.80 $4.18 $4.59 $4.91
7 (2,483') N/A $5.08 $5.64 $6.20 $6.82 $7.30
Questions & Comments
If you have any questions regarding this Notice, please call (855) 550-4497 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Fridays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., or visit the water rates website at GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates . General comments and emails are not counted as formal legal protests. See the legal notice below for formal Proposition 218 protest instructions.
Community Meetings
Four community meetings have been scheduled to discuss the proposed water rate changes with customers. For more information about these community meetings, please visit our website at GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates. Meeting dates and times are subject to change, so please check the website for the most up-to-date information.
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Adult Recreation Center., 201 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91205 (Parking available at the Marketplace Parking Structure at 120 S. Artsakh Ave).
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Sparr Heights Community Center, 1613 Glencoe Way, Glendale, CA 91208
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Brand Park Library & Arts Center, 1601 W Mountain St, Glendale, CA 91201
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Zoom meeting (Registration required. Link will be provided on GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates).
Oct. 7
Oct. 15
Oct. 17
Oct. 24
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND CUSTOMERS
This Notice is being furnished to you by the City in accordance with Article XIII-D, Section 6 of the California Constitution (Proposition 218), which requires the City to notify customers and property owners of record of proposed water rate adjustments. The City Council will conduct a Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. on November 3, 2026, at the City Council Chambers located on the 2nd floor in the City Hall at 613 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206.
All those interested are invited to appear at the time and place of the Public Hearing on November 3, 2026, to give oral or written testimony or to submit written protests regarding the proposed rate adjustments. The City Council will hear and consider oral testimony and written materials submitted regarding proposed rate adjustments at the public hearing. Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the Council will vote on rate recommendations. The City Council has the authority to adjust the proposed rate updates in response to oral testimony and written materials submitted for consideration, provided that any adjustments do not increase rates beyond those proposed in this Notice.
How to Protest Proposed Rate Adjustments
The proposed water rate adjustments are subject to a majority protest process under Proposition 218. Any record owner of a property, or a tenant, of a parcel(s) subject to the proposed rates, may submit a written protest against the proposed rate adjustments. Owners of multiple parcels may file one protest for each parcel owned within the City’s service area. Only one written protest against the proposed rate adjustments per parcel will be counted in determining whether a majority protest exists.
Written Protest Procedures
A written protest must be submitted to the City in paper form and include all of the following to be counted in determining whether there is a majority protest (50% + 1):
• Clearly stated opposition to the proposed rate adjustments for water service charges; • Name of the record property owner or customer of record who is submitting the protest; • Identification by street address or assessor’s parcel number of the property for which the protest is made or identification of the account number for the customer of record; and • Original signature and legibly printed name of the record property owner or customer of record who is submitting the protest.
An electronic (emailed or faxed) or spoken protest CANNOT be counted.
Written protests may be delivered to the City at the City Council Chambers during the public hearing (prior to the close of the hearing). In advance of the public hearing, written protests may be mailed or personally delivered to the City Clerk (City of Glendale, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206), provided they must be received by City staff before the conclusion of the public hearing on November 3, 2026. No late protests will be accepted after the public hearing closes.
At the public hearing, the City Council will accept and consider all written protests and hear all oral comments on the proposed rate adjustments. However, oral or emailed comments will not be counted in determining the existence of a majority protest.
What is a Majority Protest?
A majority protest against the proposed rate adjustment will exist if, at the end of the Public Hearing, written protests submitted and not withdrawn represent a majority of the parcels (50% + 1) that receive the applicable services (water). The City cannot adopt a proposed rate adjust - ment if a majority protest exists for that service (water).
Notice of Public Hearing and Proposed Water Rate Changes City of Glendale
ATTN: City Clerk
613 E. Broadway
Glendale, CA 91206
This document contains important information about a Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Water Rate Changes. Please visit GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates for translated copies of this notice or call Glendale Water & Power Customer Services (855) 550-4497 for more information or scan this QR Code.
이 문서는 제안된 수도 요금 변경에 대한 공청회 통지서에 관한 중요한 정보를 포함하고 있습니다. 이 통지서의 번역본을 보시려면 GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates를 방문하시고, 더 자세한 정보는 Glendale Water & Power 고객 서비스 센터 (855) 550-4497로 전화하시거나 이 QR 코드를 스캔하십시오.
Este documento contiene información importante sobre un Aviso de Audiencia Pública sobre los Cambios Propuestos en las Tarifas de Agua. Visite GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates para obtener copias traducidas de este aviso, llame al Servicio al Cliente de Glendale Water & Power al (855) 550- 4497 para obtener más información o escanee este código QR.
Այս փաստաթուղթը պարունակում է կարևոր տեղեկություններ ջրի սակագների առաջարկվող փոփոխությունների վերաբերյալ հանրային լսումների ծանուցման մասին: Այս ծանուցման թարգմանված օրինակների համար խնդրում ենք այցելել GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates կամ զանգահարել Glendale Water & Power-ի հաճախորդների սպասարկման բաժին (855) 550-4497 հեռախոսահամարով լրացուցիչ տեղեկությունների համար, կամ սկանավորել այս QR կոդը:
Ang dokumentong ito ay naglalaman ng mahalagang impormasyon tungkol sa isang Abiso ng Pampublikong Pagdinig sa mga Iminungkahing Pagbabago sa Singil sa Tubig. Mangyaring bisitahin ang GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates para sa mga isinaling kopya ng abisong ito, tumawag sa Glendale Water & Power Customer Services sa (855) 550-4497 para sa karagdagang impormasyon, o i-scan ang QR Code na ito.
GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates | (855) 550-4497 | 141 N. Glendale Ave. Glendale, CA 91206 Notice of Public Hearing
and Proposed Water
Rate Changes
Этот документ содержит важную информацию об Уведомлении о проведении открытых слушаний по предлагаемым изменениям тарифов на воду. Пожалуйста, посетите сайт GlendaleCA.gov/ProposedWaterRates для получения переведенных копий данного уведомления, позвоните в службу поддержки клиентов Glendale Water & Power по телефону (855) 550-4497 для получения дополнительной информации или отсканируйте этот QR-код.
This notice is being sent to property
owners in the City of Glendale listed
in the Los Angeles County Assessor’s
database as well as to all individuals who
are electric and water customer account
holders. As a result, you may receive this
notice in duplicate. We apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause.