By Sam Calkins, General Manager, Centennial Water and Sanitation District

On Oct. 15, Centennial Water and Sanitation District published our proposed budget and rate schedule for 2025. Our water and wastewater system provides essential services which are at the heart of public health, environmental protection, and sustainable growth for the communities of Highlands Ranch and Solstice. Each year the budget process at Centennial Water begins in July. Staff assess our current systems and look ahead to ensure we can meet both immediate needs and future demands.

For 2025, we are proposing a series of moderate rate adjustments that aim to maintain the reliability and quality of service our customers depend on, while preparing for the challenges posed by aging infrastructure and environmental factors. As always, our goal is to keep rates as affordable as possible while ensuring we invest responsibly in our community’s future.

We know a rate increase may cause concern for our customers who are already balancing tight household budgets. We are committed to being transparent about why an increase is necessary and how it aligns with our financial plans, and ultimately benefits the communities we serve.

Last year, during the budget process, we shared that rising operational costs would likely result in a necessary rate adjustment in 2025. The proposed increase is in line with those projections and is part of our broader strategy to ensure we continue to meet service demands, maintain infrastructure, and improve water delivery systems.

What water rates pay for

Water rates are more than the cost of getting water to your tap. They fund the entire infrastructure that ensures safe, clean, and reliable water for all customers over the long term. This includes maintaining pipes and treatment facilities, as well as routine water quality testing. Beyond the direct costs, water rates also help support essential operations, long-term planning, and improvements to ensure our water system remains resilient for years to come.

Your water rates at work

Two significant projects are in progress to strengthen the reliability of our water and wastewater treatment processes. Both are driven by our commitment to our customers to provide high quality water that meets all federal and state regulations, and to ensure we can meet current and future water demands.

Upgrades at the Joseph B. Blake Water Treatment Plant enable us to treat and deliver water during peak summer months without relying on nonrenewable groundwater. We want to preserve our groundwater sources for times of water scarcity when we don’t have sufficient supplies in our surface water reservoirs. Enhancing treatment capacity to deliver water solely through surface water sources is the goal of every water provider. The project improves efficiency and delivers cleaner, higher-quality water to the community.

Upgrades to the Marcy Gulch Wastewater Treatment Plant are scheduled for completion in 2025. These improvements are essential to meet updated state and federal regulations, allowing us to release cleaner water back into the South Platte River. The enhanced treatment process will improve water quality, supporting fish, wildlife, and the health of our natural environment.

We know increases like these aren’t easy, but they are critical to preserving the high-quality water service our community depends on. By investing in the present, we are safeguarding the future—ensuring reliable water service for generations to come. Even with the increase projected for 2025, Centennial Water remains one of the lowest cost providers in our region.

We invite you to engage in the conversation as we work to strike the right balance between cost, sustainability, and service excellence. The proposed budget, including details about the budget process and how to provide feedback, is available on our website at centennialwater.org, and a hard copy is available at our office at 62 Plaza Drive, Highlands Ranch.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to work hard to keep the water flowing to your homes and businesses.