City approves first sewer rate increase in 20 years for infrastructure improvements

Published on June 26, 2025

The City of Huntsville approved its first sewer rate increase in 20 years to support infrastructure investments within the aging sewer collection system and at five wastewater treatment facilities. City Council approved the increase in a 4-1 vote at their regular meeting on June 26.

The updated ordinance increases monthly sewer bills from $24.15 to $29.15 for an average residential customer, which remains far below the average Alabama sewer bill of $52.14 per month. Rates would increase by $1 per month each year beginning in 2026 until 2034. In 2034, the average residential sewer bill would be $39.15, still well below the current sewer bill average in the state.

The increase will help fund a $150 million infrastructure investment within its sewer collection system and treatment facilities over a 10-year capital plan. Like all utilities, a wastewater system’s infrastructure continues to age and reinvestment into the system is necessary to ensure reliability that meets regulatory requirements. Portions of Huntsville’s system date back to the 1950s.