Jefferson City Raises Water and Sewer Rates 16%, Twice
Jefferson City’s water and sewer customers are paying 16% more as of September 15, and the same increase comes again on July 1, 2027. The city council approved the increases 3 to 0 at a special meeting, The Standard Banner reported.
Two 16% increases, then inflation
Ordinance 2026-09 sets two 16% increases, then ties rates to inflation from 2028 to 2031. The city lists the reasons as operating costs, replacing aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, growth and debt.
City accountant Frank McDaniel told the council the inflation estimates set in 2021 had not kept pace with costs, according to The Standard Banner. The New Market and Shady Grove utility districts, which buy water from the city, get the same increase.
The minimum monthly bill for 2,000 gallons of water and sewer inside the city goes from $35.76 to $41.47 now, then $48.10 in July 2027. Outside the city limits it goes from $98.77 to $114.57, then $132.90.
What sewer costs on its own
The sewer charge is the part of that bill a septic owner does not pay. Under the ordinance, the minimum sewer charge for the first 2,000 gallons is now:
| Before | From Sept. 15, 2026 | From July 1, 2027 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside the city | $20.12 | $23.34 | $27.07 |
| Outside the city | $57.96 | $67.23 | $77.99 |
Every 1,000 gallons over that adds $8.57 inside the city and $23.46 outside, rising to $9.94 and $27.21 next July. At the minimum alone, an inside-city customer will pay about $325 a year for sewer from July 2027, and an outside-city customer about $936.
One resident told WATE that people already felt the rates were too much.
A septic system has running costs too, just not monthly ones. A typical pump-out in our area runs about $300 to $500, and most households need one every three to five years, which works out to roughly $60 to $170 a year.
If your house is on septic
Jefferson City’s July 2027 increase is already set, and after that rates follow inflation. For homes on septic, the equivalent cost is maintenance: see how often to pump a septic tank, or book a pump-out.
What it means for a Knox County septic owner
If your home in Jefferson County is on septic, these rates do not reach you, but your tank is your sewer plant, and it needs the same kind of upkeep. A tank pumped every three to five years keeps the drain field working, and the drain field is the expensive part. If a sewer line is ever offered on your road, weigh the hookup fee and the monthly sewer bill against the cost of keeping your septic system in good order.
Sources: The Standard Banner, Jefferson City Ordinance 2026-09 (council packet), WATE