Highlands Ranch Water has proposed  several changes next year to improve customer service, encourage water conservation and continue providing safe, reliable water and wastewater services. 

Some changes will affect how you pay your bill, while others will affect your water budget and outdoor watering schedule. The changes will be presented to the board at the Dec. 8 board of directors meeting for final approval.

Here’s what you need to know and how you can prepare.

Indoor water budgets are changing

The residential indoor water budget is being reduced from 12,000 gallons to 9,000 gallons of water every two months.

Homes are much more water efficient and households are smaller than they were 20 years ago, when our water budgets were established. Today, our average customer uses about 8,500 gallons of water every two months, which is less than the proposed reduction to 9,000 gallons.

Your water budget is not a limit on how much water you can use. It determines how much water you can use at the lowest rate. If your household regularly uses less than the new budget, you may not need to make any changes. Water used above your budget is charged at higher rates.

Learn more about your indoor budget, including steps you can take now to prepare for the change. 

Outdoor watering season shifts by two weeks

Beginning in 2027, the outdoor watering season will run from May 1 to Oct. 31 instead of April 15 through Oct. 15. This shift better matches Colorado’s changing weather patterns, and it helps protect sprinkler systems from spring freezes while allowing more time to water your landscape during warm, dry fall weather.

Start preparing today by getting familiar with your outdoor water budget and learning more about your sprinkler controller. Consider upgrading to a smart sprinkler controller that adjusts watering based on weather conditions. Highlands Ranch Water offers rebates to help with the cost, with 2027 rebates opening Jan. 1.

New fee for credit and debit card payments

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, customers who pay their water bill with a credit or debit card, will pay a 2.75% convenience fee, with a minimum charge of $2.75. If you pay by credit or with debit card, you’ll pay this convenience fee each time you make a payment.

We will continue to offer a fee-free payment option through ACH (electronic bank payment), which transfers payments directly from your checking or savings account at no additional cost.

Don’t want to pay a fee? Switch to ACH to avoid the convenience fee. Learn how to update your payment method to ACH by watching a video tutorial. 

Proposed water and wastewater rate increases

Highlands Ranch Water is considering water and wastewater rate increases for 2027. The proposed increases support the continued investment in the infrastructure and operations needed to provide safe, reliable water and wastewater services to customers.

Highlands Ranch Water does not receive property tax revenue. Customer rates fund nearly all the services we provide.

Learn more about the proposed increases, review the 2027 proposed budget and share your feedback during the public budget process.

More smart meters are coming

Highlands Ranch Water is expanding its meter replacement program in 2027 to bring smart meter technology to more customers.  Smart meters provide more timely information about your water use, helping you better understand your water usage and spot potential leaks before they become costly problems.

Meter replacements will take place over time, with priority given to older meters that have reached the end of their expected lifespan.