CITY OF BURLINGTON

Water and Wastewater Rate Increase beginning January 2026

Why a rate increase

While the City of Burlington fully understands that no one wants to see increased rates, updates to the water and wastewater rate and fee structures are necessary to support the development of a new Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). 

The existing aerated lagoon system – built in 1974 and updated in 2014 – has become obsolete and no longer meets state and federal discharge permit standards. Increasing regulatory requirements and recurring issues, including algae outbreaks and elevated Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, necessitate the construction of a modern mechanical treatment facility.

JVA Consulting Engineers has been retained by the City to assist with efforts to become compliant through design and construction of a new WWTF.

Features of the WWTF project will include screening and preliminary treatment, a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) system for secondary treatment, ultraviolet disinfection and an aerated solids-holding lagoon which will ensure long-term compliance with Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and federal regulatory standards.

This project will replace outdated treatment methods and ensure long-term environmental and public health compliance.

Proposed Water Rates

Current base water rate:      $45.55 for the first 5,000 gallons
Proposed base rate:                 $61.00 for the first 8,000 gallons

Additional tiered usage charges:

• 8,001 – 26,000 gallons:          $3 per 1,000 gallons (currently $2)
• 26,001 – 50,000 gallons:        $4 per 1,000 gallons
• Over 50,000 gallons:              $5 per 1,000 gallons

Projected impacts to consumer:

• Base rate increase:            $9.45 per month for 8,000 gallons
• Average increase if using 15,000 gallons a month – $18.45 per month

Take into consideration that it costs the City $2.66 to distribute 1,000 gallons of quality water.

Proposed Wastewater (Sewer) Rates 

Residential:

Current rate:             $25 per month
Proposed rate:           $47 per month – for a difference of $22

Commercial:

Current rate:             $25 × EQR  (EQR = Equivalent Residential Unit)

Proposed rate:           $47 × EQR

These increases bring Burlington in line with average Colorado Small Community rates and demonstrates the ability to service debt, which is a prerequisite for grant eligibility and loan approval.

What a Rate Study revealed 

Water Consumption Analysis

Burlington has 1,689 water meters on the system

Average Annual Usage (2022-2024), water placed into the system = 301,823,039 gallons

Average Usage by Month (2022-2024) in gallons

January           12,752,165                              July                    42,048,841

February          12,090,418                             August               43,756,898

March               12,957,181                              September       40,748,299

April                  18,632,648                            October             30,097,183

May                  30,520,281                            November          13,114,480

June                 32,987,536                           December          12,117,109

Monthly average consumer usage (all consumers) = Average Monthly Water Usage/Number of Meters

January              7,550                                  July                  24,896

February             7,158                                   August             25,907

March                 7,672                                   September        24,126

April                    11,032                                   October             17,820

May                   18,070                                   November          7,765

June                  19,531                                    December          7,174

Average Monthly Usage = 14,892 gallons per month per consumer

Seasonal consumption patterns were identified as follows:

Winter (January, February, March, November, December) – average consumer usage is below 8,000 gallons per month.

Spring/Fall (April, May, June, October) – average consumer usage is below 17,000 gallons per month.

Summer (July, August, September) – average consumer usage is below 25,000 gallons per month.

To be eligible for grants and loans to fund a new WWTF, base rates need to meet the Average Colorado Small Community rates of $61-$66, which spurs the proposed base rate for water to be $61 for the first 8,000 gallons (the average consumer usage during the winter season).

 Wastewater Rate Study

Burlington currently has 1,573 sewer taps – 1,338 residential and 235 commercial.

The current wastewater service rate is $25 for residential customers and $25 times the EQR (Equivalent Residential Unit) for commercial customers.

To meet the Average Colorado Small Community rates of $49-$53 to be eligible for grants and loans to fund a new WWTF, the City is prompted to raise the monthly wastewater service rate to $47 for residential users and $47 times the EQR for commercial users.

Purpose of the Rate Study

The rate study was undertaken to ensure that the Water/Wastewater Fund can:

• Adequately support the operation, maintenance, permitting, testing, and long-term sustainability of Burlington’s water and wastewater systems.
• Meet existing and forthcoming state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Provide sufficient funding for debt service on prior capital improvements, including the Water Quality Blending Plant.
• Position the City to undertake construction of a new WWTF, projected at $12–$14 million.
• Maintain enterprise status for the Water/Wastewater Fund, consistent with its operation as a government-owned utility.

Project Status and Plans for Additional Funding

The City, in coordination with JVA Consulting Engineers, has completed a Project Needs Assessment, environmental review and submitted the required site application to CDPHE. 

The project is currently at the 30% design level (Phase 1), with 60% of the final design (Phase 2) underway.

If including a 20% contingency to compensate for rising costs of materials, unforeseen circumstances, etc., the project cost could climb to $16.3 million.

To finance the WWTF project, the City intends to:

• Submit a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan application in January 2026 (eligible for up to $1.5 million in principal forgiveness; estimated interest rate 3.2%–3.5%).
• Apply for a $1 million Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund grant through the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).

• Commit $2 million from City reserves.
• Finance the remaining $10 – $12.5 million through long-term debt.

Forward-Looking and Community-Focused

The City of Burlington remains committed to safeguarding the health, prosperity and sustainability of this community. 

These proposed rate adjustments, which were made with great care, transparency, and long-range vision, represent an essential investment in the long-term reliability of our water and wastewater systems. 

By taking action now, the City and its residents work together to ensure that current and future generations will continue to receive safe clean drinking water, effective wastewater treatment, and the resilient infrastructure necessary to support growth and protect our health and environment.

Together, we are building a foundation that will serve Burlington well for decades to come.

Chart below

A chart showing the proposed water rates for residential and commercial accounts may be found by scrolling down.  This shows how much a person could expect to be charged after using a certain number of gallons.  Link to  Rate chart

The first column titled Usage is the number of gallons used by thousands (i.e. 5 = 5,000)