YOUR WATER RATES

When will new rates become effective?

Interim rates, based on the company’s proposed increase, are planned to take effect on or about May 1, 2026. Once a final decision has been made by the SCC, the difference between the interim and final approved rates is subject to a refund. Customers will be informed of the approved rates by mail and on the company’s website.

Are water rates regulated?

Yes. Virginia American Water is regulated by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). As part of the rate filing, we submitted extensive financial and operational data documenting the cost of doing business. The SCC will review this information, along with the information provided by customers and the public at input hearings. This open and thorough process provides the SCC with the necessary information to make an informed decision.

When did Virginia American Water request the rate change?

Virginia American Water filed for a rate change with the SCC on November 3, 2025.

How will this rate increase affect my monthly bill?

Virginia American Water is regulated by the SCC. The SCC might grant all, some or none of the request. As a result, the rate charged to customers might be different than the rate requested by the company. If the company’s proposed rates are approved as requested, the monthly water and wastewater bills for the average residential customer using 4,000 gallons per month would each increase by approximately $11 per month.

Base Water Rates

Base Wastewater Rates

What are the primary reasons for Virginia American Water’s rate request?

The rate increase is needed primarily because Virginia American Water is investing approximately $115 million to continue to provide safe, reliable water and wastewater service. Some of the company’s critical infrastructure projects included in the rate request are updates at water treatment plants, replacement of aging water pipelines, and upgrades to storage tanks, pumping stations, meters and more.

I’m on a fixed income. Do you have any programs that assist low-income customers?

Yes. Since 2010, Virginia American Water has been assisting customers in need pay for their water bill through its H2O Help to Others Program™. The program offers grants of up to $500 per year for customers who qualify. Grants are funded through a corporate donation and customer and employee donations.

To be eligible for the program, grant recipients must have received a utility shutoff notice or have already had service disconnected. Recipients must also have made a sincere effort to pay the bill (at least $50 on the outstanding water bill in the past 90 days), applied for all open and available state and federal programs, and have a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. A grant from this program may not cover the recipient’s entire water bill.

Virginia American Water’s H2O Help to Others Program™ program is administered by the Dollar Energy Fund, an independent, non-profit organization. For more information about the program and additional qualification requirements, contact the Dollar Energy Fund at 1-888-282-6816 or visit The Dollar Energy Fund online at www.dollarenergyfund.org.

Virginia American Water also offers other programs to assist customers including:

• Budget Billing to help make managing your cash flow easier by providing predictable monthly payments and avoiding unplanned seasonal spikes.
• Installment Plans help to extend the time you have to pay a past due balance.
• Preferred Due Date which enables eligible customers to adjust their due date.

To see if you are eligible or to enroll in the above programs, visit MyWater at amwater.com/mywater. In the Payment Assistance box, click See All Options.

You can also contact our customer service center.

For more information

If you have additional questions, please contact our customer service center at 1-800-452-6863, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.